By SDCN Editor
Los Angeles, CA–Since the beginning of the 2024 fiscal year (October 1, 2023) to date, U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP officers and agriculture specialists assigned to the Los Angeles International Airport International Mail Facility in coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials detained 4,227 animal and plant products for violating wildlife laws and regulations and international endangered species conventions.
Among the detained products, crocodile skulls, jerky, belts, wallets, taxidermy baby crocodiles, turtle skulls, skins, kangaroo meat, tails, ears, elephant toenails, exotic butterflies, peacock feathers, seashells, coral, sea cucumbers, shark cartilages, sand sea lion oil gel caps.
The seized products arrived in packages via air mail from Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, China, Thailand, the U.K., Mexico, and Peru. The contraband packages were heading to addresses all over the United States.
“CBP agriculture specialists are the frontline in the fight against the global trafficking of protected wildlife and plant species,” said Cheryl Davies, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “Every single day, they bring their natural sciences knowledge, expertise, and unique skills to identify, intercept, and seized suspected shipments.”
“The USFWS Office of Law Enforcement’s Wildlife Inspection Program meticulously inspects shipments of known and suspected wildlife to facilitate its legal trade and interdict illegal shipments of wildlife before they enter or leave the country,” said Edward Grace, Assistant Director of the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement. “Their diligent work safeguards protected species of wildlife and upholds laws and regulations protecting against the unlawful exploitation of nature’s valuable resources.”
The USFWS Office of Law Enforcement regulates all international movement of wildlife in, out, and through the United States to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
“Illegal wildlife trafficking is one of the most profitable natural resource crimes,” said Andrew Douglas, CBP Port Director of Los Angeles International Airport. “It encompasses the harvesting and selling of wildlife, and wildlife products, to be used as medicine, fashion, food, or pets sold to consumers.”
Going abroad? Think twice about the souvenirs you buy.
You’ll find many wildlife and plant products for sale around the world. As an international traveler, you can support conservation worldwide by asking questions and learning the facts before you buy any wildlife or plant product.
Just because you find an item for sale does not mean importing is legal. Some of these products may be made from illegally taken animals or plants and may not be exported or imported. Others may require permits before bringing them home to the United States. You can avoid losing your souvenir or paying a fine.
Most countries protect their native animals and plants under national laws and through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Signed by more than 180 nations including the United States, this treaty supports sustainable trade in wildlife and plants while protecting species at risk.
In addition to international agreements, U.S. laws provide even stronger protections for marine mammals, elephants, spotted cats, sea turtles, and wild birds. If the country you are visiting bans the sale or export of a species, you cannot legally import it here.
Before shopping overseas, verify that the country you’re visiting allows the export of its native species or other wildlife. Many nations now prohibit or require permits for trade in wildlife and plants.
Remember that resource protection laws and treaties cover live animals and plants, mounted specimens, foods, parts, and products made from or decorated with fur, hide, skin, feathers, scales, shells, antlers, horns, teeth, claws, or bones.
The legality of a wildlife or plant souvenir may depend on both the species involved and the country where a person bought it. Examples include products made from pangolin (an Asian anteater); caiman and crocodilian leathers; and mounted butterflies, moths, and insects.
Anyone importing a bird or any other live animal, wildlife food products, or live plants, can contact U.S. agriculture officials before returning to the United States. U.S. laws and regulations generally prohibit the importation of bushmeat, regardless of the species involved.
For permit information, visit the Service’s permits website.
