New network helps trafficked animals receive care, find safety

With nearly 60 reptiles hidden under his clothes, a man attempted to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in February 2022 near San Ysidro, California. He was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Two of the reptiles did not survive the journey and many exhibited signs of dehydration.

These incidents aren't uncommon, as the FWS confiscated more than 50,000 illegally trafficked animals from 2015-19. Wildlife law enforcement agents are not only responsible for investigating the crime of trafficking but also need to find solutions for the trafficked animals.

To help with the latter, the FWS and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) officially launched the Wildlife Confiscations Network (WCN) in October 2023 in southern California. It's a pilot project of the AZA's Wildlife Trafficking Alliance that helps triage these animals after being rescued and place them in zoos, aquariums, and conservancies.

Nearly 60 lizards and snakes were recovered from a man who attempted to smuggle them from Mexico into California hidden under a man's clothing. Thanks to the Wildlife Confiscations Network (WCN), most of the reptiles received the veterinary care they needed. (Photos courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

It is nearly impossible to ensure that trafficked animals are returned to the exact location they were taken from, and often they are not healthy enough to make a trip back to their natural habitats. With limited resources and limited veterinary knowledge, law enforcement is not equipped to get these animals back into the wild. For this reason, the WCN focuses on rehabilitation efforts and finding appropriate homes for the animals.

Since April 2023, the network has relied on 30 partners to place more than 2,600 animals for FWS, says Sara Walker, senior advisor on wildlife trafficking at the AZA.

"From our perspective-and we believe the perspective from law enforcement-the pilot has been very successful," she said.

As a result, the WCN is conducting a needs assessment in different regions near busy ports of entry and is hoping to expand the program nationwide.

Pilot project

The AZA worked with a variety of partners for four years to plan and develop the "first-of-its-kind" network. The collaboration allowed the association to hire Amanda Fischer as its wildlife confiscations coordinator.

She coordinates communications between the network's participating facilities and law enforcement. Her other primary role is to recommend placement for wildlife when they are seized.

"I then continue to track where the animals are placed, run reports for law enforcement, and provide general health status updates based on communications with animal care staff," Fischer said. She also manages applications from facilities that wish to join the network and coordinates the vetting committee.

Prior to this position, Fischer was a professional zookeeper and curator for more than 20 years working with many of the species that are seen in the illegal trade. The ever-growing demand for wildlife and wildlife products is what fuels wildlife trafficking, and it is a major danger, particularly to threatened and endangered animal species.

"Trafficked animals pose a significant risk for invasive species to upset delicate ecosystems here," said Dr. Theresa House, an assistant director in the Animal Welfare Division at the AVMA. "The animal welfare concerns here are not just for those animals being trafficked. We also need to think of the unintended consequences of trafficking such as the potential for escape or release and these animals breeding in the wild and what that could mean for native wildlife."

Species seen most often in the illegal trade are marine invertebrates, such as corals and giant clams; reptiles; terrestrial invertebrates, such as tarantulas; fish; birds; and occasionally mammals, such as spider monkeys, according to the AZA.

Animal health

"With all species, they generally will be dealing with parasites or pathogens-issues that can be exacerbated by inhumane care and transport," Fischer said.

Without qualified facilities to take them, animals usually remain in the care of wildlife law enforcement until a decision is made on what to do with them. That could mean law enforcement officials find an animal care facility themselves, returning the animal or animals to the exporting country, or have them euthanized.

A king cobra is found inside a chip can during Operation Jungle Book, a law enforcement initiative in 2017 led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that targeted wildlife smuggling. Charges were filed against 16 defendants in connection with operation, which was given its name due to the volume and variety of animals that were seized in the Los Angeles area.

Fischer explained that even a few days in the care of law enforcement is not ideal.

"While they do the best they can with limited resources and no formal veterinary training, they are not animal care experts. Time spent caring for animals also distracts from their primary role: catching criminals," Fischer said. "If the animals are to have a chance at survival, getting them into expert emergency care quickly is critical."

The WCN encompasses professional animal care facilities at zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and universities. Each facility employs experienced wildlife veterinary specialists.

Prior to confiscation, many of these animals were housed in inhumane conditions resulting in injuries, compromised immune systems, disease, malnutrition, emaciation, and dehydration. Many also pose a health risk-to both animals and humans-because of potential zoonotic diseases, Walker explained.

"Caring for confiscated wildlife is made even more challenging because animals are living evidence for ongoing cases, which requires close communication with law enforcement," Walker said. "Because veterinarians are so important to this work, the WCN has established a veterinary working group that is developing best practices and resources for our current-and future-participating facilities."

Looking ahead

According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, illicit wildlife trafficking is estimated to be between $7.8 billion and $10 billion per year. The United Nations' Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is an international agreement that influences national laws on wildlife trade. The U.S. has the Lacey Act, which protects wildlife, fish, and plants that are illegally taken, transported, or sold.

However, the AZA and others involved in rescuing smuggled wildlife would like to see more done to prevent the practice. U.S. Reps. Andrew Garbarino from New York's 2nd District and Mike Quigley from Illinois's 5th District introduced The Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Reintroduction Act of 2024 (HR 7999) earlier this year. The legislation would codify all aspects of the Wildlife Confiscations Network. In addition, the bill calls for establishing a grant program to support rescue, rehabilitation, and confiscations-related work. The program would cover expenses related to veterinary care, direct animal care staff, reintroduction efforts, and more.

"Zoos and aquariums play a pivotal role in the conservation of threatened and endangered species, especially as instances of wildlife trafficking continue to rise. The Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Reintroduction Act would ensure qualified facilities have the resources and tools they need to effectively perform this important work," Rep. Garbarino said in a statement.

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