Washington, DC - With the start of the summer vacation season, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is reminding travelers to think twice before buying souvenirs made from plants and animal parts, while traveling within the United States and abroad.

Every summer, unsuspecting tourists return from vacation, loaded down with seemingly innocuous trinkets made from tortoiseshell, coral, ivory, and reptile skin, for example, not knowing that they are made from endangered or threatened wildlife. Just because these items are for sale in markets doesn't mean that their sale or export is legal. And even if these products can be obtained legally overseas, it may be against U.S. regulations to bring them into the United States. Government inspectors can seize purchases and fine the purchasers.

Here are some examples of what NOT to buy on your next vacation:
United States: Thinking of a souvenir to remind you of the Wild West? Don't be tempted by wall hangings that display the feathers of wild birds. Most native wild birds are protected by U.S. laws.

The Caribbean: Watch out for vendors selling tortoise shell jewelry, turtle oil, and other items made from endangered sea turtles and other threatened marine species. Semi-precious black corals, heavily exploited for jewelry, are protected in many countries.

Mexico: Tempted to buy a parrot? Don't do it in Mexico, which prohibits exports of its native wild birds. The same holds true for many cacti and orchids, so it's best to check with Mexican authorities before buying any live plants for your trip home.

Australia: Most of Australia's wildlife is protected and items that cannot be exported without permission include live native animals and many wildlife products such as those made from crocodile skins.

Hong Kong: There are a number of wildlife items legally available in Hong Kong that may not be imported into most countries. These include ivory chopsticks and signature seals. Shahtoosh shawls made from the endangered Tibetan antelope may also be available, but are illegal under any circumstances.

China: Visitors to China may find plenty of ivory products, pelt from endangered cats such as snow leopards and traditional medicines that contain products such as tiger bone and bear bile. However, taking either of these products out of China is forbidden by law, as is their import into many countries, including the United States.

India: Avoid shahtoosh shawls and other products like cat skins, medicines containing ingredients from the threatened musk deer, ivory, snake skin, and turtle shell. These species are protected by Indian law and the export of their products is banned.

Kenya: The safari center of the world, Kenya has strict wildlife protection laws and prohibits the collection of corals and the export of products made from elephants, rhinos, and sea turtles. Kenya is famous for its woodcarvings, but try to buy carvings made from non-threatened tree species like mango and neem.

South Pacific/Southeast Asia: Beware of souvenirs made of sea turtles, reptiles and shells, as well as jewelry made of coral.

It has been said that the United States is the world's largest wildlife-consuming country. Despite strong regulations, a significant percentage of the international wildlife trade still involves endangered or protected species--often these same species are struggling for survival as their habitat is damaged or destroyed.

Tourists can play an important role in curbing illegal trade and protecting endangered wildlife by becoming better informed consumers. An important rule to remember is "when in doubt, don't buy."