When we hear the words contraband, militias, informants, mafia, and the black market – perhaps the first images that appear in our minds are of drug smugglers and arms dealers.  But did you know that the illegal smuggling of wildlife is thought to be only just behind drugs and arms?   Did you know that all of these words, and many more violent ones apply to the growing black market around wildlife, including endangered species?   How about a shop that will ship a stuffed giant panda over the internet for $408,000 US?  And how about poachers that use anti-personnel mines to protect their traps from rangers or even disable their prey?

All of this is going on every single day, and we are fortunate to have organizations like WildAid that help in enforcement, intelligence information, and the ultimate crackdown on the thugs that are profiting in illegal wildlife trading.   I am simply in awe of what these folks do, with their field agents putting their own lives on the line several times over to stop such things from happening.
So please, this holiday season, when we are thinking about being generous – perhaps some of our dollars are better spent helping stop such a horrifying market from growing even further.   Please also sign the global pledge as a sign of your support and passion towards this cause.  Thanks!