The Wildlife Conservation Society is reducing the demand for products made from threatened or endangered wildlife or containing parts of these animals by educating U.S. military about the consequences of purchasing such products while serving overseas. While deployed or stationed abroad, military personnel like to purchase souvenirs for friends and family and on occasion purchase items for resale in the U.S. Unfortunately, in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan some of the products available in the local markets are made from wildlife protected by international and national laws. It is important to help military personnel distinguish endangered wildlife from the rest and avoid inadvertently purchasing items that might be confiscated by customs or create legal problems by breaking U.S., International, and Military Laws. The result – U.S. military personnel might unknowingly purchase products which are illegal to purchase, transport across international borders, or resell resulting in confiscation of the items, fines, and potential imprisonment. Furthermore, the demand created by the purchase persuades local vendors to continue or increase hunting which will likely contribute to population declines and possible local extinction. WCS is partnering with the Department of Defense to inform military personnel of the potential risks to wildlife and to themselves when purchasing wildlife trade items. To do this, WCS is involved in four projects: Afghanistan Bazaar Surveys DoD Legacy Work Fort Drum Survey Pre-Deployment Trainings Fur coats and hats Blanket and rugs Carved ivory or bone Turtle shells Horns or Antlers Taxidermy specimens, including mounted insects/butterflies Medicines containing animal parts Stoles or Shawls
The Wildlife Conservation Society is reducing the demand for products made from threatened or endangered wildlife or containing parts of these animals by educating U.S. military about the consequences of purchasing such products while serving overseas. While deployed or stationed abroad, military personnel like to purchase souvenirs for friends and family and on occasion purchase items for resale in the U.S. Unfortunately, in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan some of the products available in the local markets are made from wildlife protected by international and national laws. It is important to help military personnel distinguish endangered wildlife from the rest and avoid inadvertently purchasing items that might be confiscated by customs or create legal problems by breaking U.S., International, and Military Laws. The result – U.S. military personnel might unknowingly purchase products which are illegal to purchase, transport across international borders, or resell resulting in confiscation of the items, fines, and potential imprisonment. Furthermore, the demand created by the purchase persuades local vendors to continue or increase hunting which will likely contribute to population declines and possible local extinction. WCS is partnering with the Department of Defense to inform military personnel of the potential risks to wildlife and to themselves when purchasing wildlife trade items. To do this, WCS is involved in four projects: Afghanistan Bazaar Surveys DoD Legacy Work Fort Drum Survey Pre-Deployment Trainings