A frog does not become less wild because someone puts them in a plastic tub.

Rare fish and turtles sell for pennies at home, fetching fortunes in distant global markets.

Relentlessly hunted for its scales, a mysterious armored creature is among the most trafficked mammals on Earth. Now scientists are trying to unlock the secrets that could help save it.

Interpol has announced a major crackdown on environmental crime in Latin America and the Caribbean, leading to 233 arrests.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's Hogle Zoo announced Monday they have taken in two young spider monkeys who were rescued from wildlife traffickers. Romina, about 2 years old, and Eve, about 1 year old, are now settling into their new home in the zoo's Primate Forest habitat. The two monkeys came from Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' spider monkey species survival plan. The monkeys were rescued by the Wildlife Confiscation Network, which helps place confiscated animals with organizations that can meet their specialized needs. "Our colleagues at the Gladys Porter Zoo performed the initial round-the-clock work required to save these infants immediately following their confiscation at the border, treating their initial trauma, medical needs and hand-rearing them. Our role now is to welcome them into their permanent home, integrate them into an appropriate social troop and ensure they continue to thrive," Hogle associate director of animal care Clair Hallyburton said. When the two female infants first arrived at Hogle Zoo, the care team's top priority was making them feel safe, secure and at home, the zoo said. The keepers focused on building trust by encouraging the monkeys to take food from their...

Trafficking of endangered species is BOOMING online. Researchers just revealed that in the last two years there’s been more than a quarter million pangolins, sea turtles, clouded leopards and other wi

Australian authorities have disrupted an alleged wildlife trafficking syndicate, uncovering a clandestine operation where smuggled native animals were hoarded alongside caches of cash and gold, report...

Authorities across Latin American and the Caribbean have arrested hundreds of people in an operation against environmental crimes.

The illegal wildlife trade makes for an easy villain.

Amazon.com: Blood on the Veld (A Christian Bekker Wildlife Crime Thriller): 9781685137632: McLain, S.A.: Books

Deputies investigated a costly metal theft, wildlife officers uncovered illegal fishing activity and Bradenton police made a drug trafficking arrest.

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Australian authorities have disrupted an alleged wildlife trafficking syndicate, uncovering a clandestine operation where smuggled native animals were hoarded alongside caches of cash and gold, reports contributor Johan Augustin for Mongabay. The operation reportedly seized 28 native and a few exotic species alongside approximately A$300,000 (nearly $210,000) in cash, gold, and silver bullion on July 16. The bust marks the first major wildlife crime investigation carried out by the new National Environmental Protection Agency (National EPA), Australia’s first independent federal environmental regulator, launched on July 1. In addition to the 28 native Australian reptiles — including shingleback lizards (Tiliqua rugosa), spiny-tailed skinks (Egernia stokesii), and lace monitors (Varanus varius) — there were heavily regulated nonnative species like a North American hognose snake (genus Heterodon) and a ball python (Python regius). The agency alleges the native species were supplied to foreign nationals for illegal export. “Illegal trade of Australia’s native wildlife is a serious crime,” Dani Yannopoulos, head of the National EPA’s environmental permitting and compliance division, said in a media release published Aug. 22. “Australia’s native wildlife is precious and we are working closely with [Australian] Border Force and international partners to stop those who attempt to exploit it through...

Operation Madre Tierra VIII disrupts deforestation, illegal mining and wildlife trafficking networks

BOGOTA, Colombia — An international crackdown on environmental crime across Latin America and the Caribbean led to 233 arrests and uncovered links between large-scale Amazon deforestation and companies across several continents, the international police organization Interpol said Wednesday. The two-month operation targeted illegal logging, gold mining and wildlife trafficking across nine countries, identifying some 60,000 hectares (148,000 acres) of illegally cleared forest — an area 10 times the size of Manhattan Island. But investigators increasingly focused beyond the people cutting trees, mining gold or trafficking animals to the companies, financial networks and international buyers suspected of profiting from environmental destruction. In one investigation originating in Colombia, authorities had identified 11 foreign companies suspected of involvement in clearing more than 52,000 hectares (128,500 acres) of protected Amazon forest. Interpol said intelligence gathered during the latest operation uncovered links to another 161 companies and 65 people across several continents. Investigators found suspected permit fraud and the alleged use of shell companies and foreign investment mechanisms, Interpol said. Colombian authorities arrested 16 people and seized digital evidence, while Interpol issued international notices seeking information or action involving suspects linked to the network. “Following the money, whether from an illegal gold mine in Panama...

Australian authorities have disrupted an alleged wildlife trafficking syndicate, uncovering a clandestine operation where smuggled native animals were hoarded alongside caches of cash and gold, reports contributor Johan Augustin for Mongabay. The operation reportedly seized 28 native and a few exotic species alongside approximately A$300,000 (nearly $210,000) in cash, gold, and silver bullion on July 16. The bust marks the first major wildlife crime investigation carried out by the new National Environmental Protection Agency (National EPA), Australia’s first independent federal environmental regulator, launched on July 1. In addition to the 28 native Australian reptiles — including shingleback lizards (Tiliqua rugosa), spiny-tailed skinks (Egernia stokesii), and lace monitors (Varanus varius) — there were heavily regulated nonnative species like a North American hognose snake (genus Heterodon) and a ball python (Python regius). The agency alleges the native species were supplied to foreign nationals for illegal export. “Illegal trade of Australia’s native wildlife is a serious crime,” Dani Yannopoulos, head of the National EPA’s environmental permitting and compliance division, said in a media release published Aug. 22. “Australia’s native wildlife is precious and we are working closely with [Australian] Border Force and international partners to stop those who attempt to exploit it through...