In recent years, there has been a monumental increase in wildlife crime, resulting in an extinction crisis that threatens the global diversity of species, as well as the security and stability of many countries. Wildlife trafficking is a leading cause of the wildlife extinction crisis our planet faces today.

Unfortunately, it is a multi-billion dollar global industry with a low rate of arrests and convictions. Because of its underground nature, detection is almost impossible through law enforcement officials acting alone.

Protecting and incentivizing people to report illegal activity is crucial to combating this increasingly lucrative trade and the poaching that sustains it.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund files high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, provides free legal assistance and training to prosecutors in their fight against animal cruelty, supports animal protection legislation, and provides resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the field of animal law.