Estimates by conservation groups suggest the illegal trade in wildlife is worth up to $10bn a year.

 

Barack Obama launched a new initiative against wildlife trafficking, using his executive authority to take action against an illegal trade that is fueling rebel wars and now threatens the survival of elephants and rhinoceroses.

 

His executive order would set up a presidential task force to draw up a new strategy for cracking down on the criminal gangs behind the explosion in trafficking, as well as choke off demand for elephant ivory, rhino tusk and other animal parts.

 

The executive order called for $10m to train police officers and park rangers.

 

Within the last few months, the State Department and the United Nations have both declared wildlife trafficking as a security threat. Criminal networks are getting increasingly involved—starting with poachers with night vision goggles and high-powered rifles—and moving to rebel militias trading in ivory and rhinoceros horn as source of currency and value.