Our Nation’s wildlife protection statutes were created to protect and conserve threatened and endangered species.

The illegal purchase and sale of protected wildlife and their parts creates a market for such products.  That market increases demand for species at risk of extinction.  The illegal market for protected wildlife leads directly to illegal poaching in the forests, fields, oceans, and streams of this country and other countries.

Illegal trafficking includes the offer to sell protected wildlife online, importing or bringing undeclared wildlife into the United States, the mislabeling of wildlife and wildlife products, and the purchase of protected wildlife products.

The United States has become one of the largest consumers of illegal wildlife products.  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California is committed to the conservation of our natural resources, including threatened and endangered wildlife species.  The office is a leader in the prosecution of environmental crimes.  Since 2009, with the assistance of our law enforcement partners at the United States Department of Justice, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, my office has prosecuted dozens of corporations and individuals in over 50 separate cases involving wildlife crimes.  We need your help to accomplish this mission.

Do not buy or sell protected wildlife.

February 11-15, 2013

A. Lunch and Learn about Wildlife Series at the United States Attorney’s Office

United States District Courthouse

312 North Spring Street - 12th Floor

Dan Goodman Conference Room

Los Angeles, California 90012

1. Monday, February 11, 2013 (12:00 – 1:00 p.m.)

Whales & Ship Strikes

Shauna Bingham

NOAA's Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

Coast Guard

Petty Officer Langman, Sector LA-LB Waterways

CG Port Access Route Study

2. Tuesday, February 12, 2013 (12:00 – 1:00 p.m.)

Wildlife Enforcement

Lisa C. Nichols, Senior Special Agent

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service/Office of Law Enforcement

3. Wednesday, February 13, 2013 (12:00 – 1:00 p.m.)

Wildlife Rehabilitators

Wildlife Protection and Forest Service

Smokey Bear

5. Friday, February 15, 2013 (12:00 – 1:00 p.m.)

Fisheries Management

Rebecca Hartman

California Department of Fish & Wildlife

B. Community Outreach

San Diego Zoo, February 15 -18, 2013

Cool Cats Program, 11-3 p.m.

U.S. FWS

NOAA

CA FWS

USAO

Los Angeles Zoo, February 23, 2013

Safari Days, 10- 4 p.m.

U.S. FWS

NOAA

CA FWS

USAO

US Forest Service - Smokey Bear

Long Beach Aquarium, February 24, 2013

African-American Festival aimed at educating families about our efforts to stop global wildlife trafficking, prevent the introduction of invasive species, and to protect fish and marine mammals.

Click on this link to view relevant statutes.