CONTACT: Allyson Groff, 202-226-9019

Washington, D.C. - As concerns about terrorism have intensified in recent years, the U.S. State Department documents that the illegal wildlife trade has grown to be among the most lucrative illicit economies in the world.  The federal government has devoted many resources to closing off all channels of access for terrorists to finance their activities - including drugs and arms trafficking.  Given the recent evidence, illegal wildlife trade must receive the same scrutiny.

For the first time in many years, the House Natural Resources Committee, led by Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) will hold a hearing to investigate the impact of illegal trade in wildlife on international security and stability.  The hearing is the result of months of consultation among the U.S. State Department, Interpol, CITES, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and leading conservation organizations - many of whom are working directly on the ground in regions throughout the globe to tackle these issues.  Expert witnesses from some of these entities have been invited to testify.

Subject:
House Natural Resources Committee
Full Committee Oversight Hearing on "Poaching American Security: Impacts of Illegal Wildlife Trade"

When:
Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at 9:30 a.m.

Where:
Room 1324 Longworth House Office Building

Witnesses:
Panel 1
The Honorable Claudia A. McMurray, Assistant Secretary for Oceans, Environment and Science, U.S. Department of State
Mr. John Sellar, Senior Officer, Office of the Secretary General, CITES Secretariat, Switzerland
Mr. Benito Perez, Chief, Office of Law Enforcement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Panel 2
Mr. Steven R. Galster, Director of Field Operations, Wildlife Alliance, Thailand
Mr. John Hart, Scientific Director, Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba Project, Congo
Mr. William Clark, Illegal Wildlife Trade Expert
Dr. William E. Moritz, Director of Conservation and Acting Director of Governmental Affairs, Safari Club International Foundation, U.S.A.
Mr. Peter Pueschel, Illegal Wildlife Trade Program Director, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Germany

-30-