International Affairs
International Affairs Program
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service International Affairs Program works with others to protect, restore, and enhance the world’s diverse wildlife and their habitats with a focus on foreign and native species of international concern. We combat wildlife trafficking through our International Conservation and International Wildlife Trade programs.
Our International Conservation program provides technical and financial assistance and works with partners around the world to address poaching, trafficking, and other key threats, and to strengthen capacity to conserve high-priority species and habitats. We deliver results by contributing technical expertise, based on more than 35 years of experience, and providing financial assistance to strategic projects that protect and restore priority species and their habitats around the world.
Our financial assistance programs include:
International Wildlife Trade Program
The International Wildlife Trade program is responsible for implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and other laws and treaties. By working with international scientists and counterparts, we ensure the international wildlife trade is legal, traceable, and biologically sustainable, meaning it does not threaten the survival of animal and plant species in the wild. In addition, we collaborate with law enforcement to fight wildlife trafficking.
Our International Wildlife Trade program consists of the Management and Scientific Authorities, which work in a complementary manner to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct as a result of international wildlife trade. By ensuring that trade in wild plants and animals does not threaten the survival of the species, they also fulfill the United States’ obligations as a Party to CITES.
Laws and Regulations
In the United States, CITES is implemented under the Endangered Species Act.
In addition to CITES, our work is mandated through some 40 domestic laws, international treaties, and other multilateral agreements, many of which support our work to combat wildlife trafficking. Some of these include the Multinational Species Conservation Acts, Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Act, Pelly Amendment to the Fishermen's Protective Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Canada/Mexico/U.S. Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation and Management, Wild Bird Conservation Act, and Lacey Act.
Our work regulating international wildlife trade and working to combat trafficking of animals and animal parts also helps ensure shipments are appropriately screened for diseases, promotes transport conditions that are safe for animals and humans, and minimizes high-risk human-wildlife interactions during transit.
