Publication

In light of the public outcry following the illegal killing of "Cecil the Lion" by an American big game hunter in August 2015, this brief argues that a more important issue than dealing with big game hunting is the problem of how to tackle the illicit wildlife trade. The author also discusses 1) the threat posed to wild animals in Africa by poaching as well as the importance of education programs to tackle this problem; 2) how wildlife trafficking often funds insurgent and terrorist groups; and 3) the counter-trafficking efforts the US and China have undertaken and how these countries could further work with African partners to combat wildlife trafficking.