Africa's Wildlife Poaching and Trafficking Crisis

The illicit trade in wildlife products has undergone a dramatic escalation in the last decade, developing into a multibillion dollar global criminal enterprise that is increasingly militarized, sophisticated, and deadly. In Africa, poaching and trafficking in ivory and rhino horn have had a devastating impact on conservation efforts. Equally alarming is the growing danger trafficking networks pose for human security and development and the growing nexus of wildlife trafficking, armed militant groups, deepening insecurity, and government corruption. A CSIS Africa Program conference on the issue examined the drivers of the current crisis and highlighted ways that African governments and their partners are working to combat wildlife poaching and trafficking.