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David Fein Publishes Mail & Guardian Op-Ed on New Task Force to Combat Wildlife Trafficking
March 13, 2023
Litigation special counsel David Fein wrote an op-ed in South African newspaper the Mail & Guardian on the new U.S.-South Africa task force created to tackle illicit finance linked to wildlife crime. In “Following the money to combat the illegal wildlife trade in Southern Africa,” published on March 13, David notes that the language used by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen—“follow the money”—indicates a major shift in political leaders’ perception of the illegal wildlife trade.
“Criminal enterprises are extremely adept at working across borders and across functions,” David writes. “Yet, when it comes to tackling wildlife trafficking, the enforcement response has largely ended, rather than started, with the arrest of poachers in source countries or the seizure of wildlife at the border.”
“An effective response demands root and branch international coordination. From wildlife rangers on the front line of the fight against poachers to NGOs, financial institutions, transport companies, online marketplaces and through to domestic and international law enforcement — all have a vital role in bringing down wildlife trafficking networks,” he adds, noting that efforts need to be coordinated and aligned, as the announced responses by the U.S. and South Africa demonstrate.
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