US and South Africa team up to combat illegal wildlife trade Posted by Tsoku Maela on 26 January 2023 The United States and South Africa are establishing a task force to combat illegal wildlife trade by tracking the financial transactions behind it. Picture: Getty Images US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced this during her visit to South Africa, which has been greatly affected by rhinoceros poaching. Yellen stated, ‘To protect wildlife populations from further poaching and disrupt the associated illicit trade, we must ‘follow the money’ in the same way we do with other serious crimes.’ The task force will improve information sharing between financial intelligence units in both countries to better support law enforcement agencies. South Africa is home to nearly 80% of the world’s rhinoceroses and is a hotspot for rhino poaching, driven by demand in Asia for rhino horns in traditional medicine. Other animals such as elephants, abalones, and pangolins are also targeted by poachers. This announcement is part of Yellen’s tour of Africa to create a new economic strategy towards the continent, as African countries are being courted by China. Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured. TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter ALSO READ: Team of rangers arrest suspected poachers, 112 abalone seized Related Posts Cape Town’s sustainability: Leading the way in environmental initiatives 1 June 2023 As National Environmental Month commences in South Africa, Cape Town stands proudly at the forefront... read more Kapama to host Safari Guide of the Year Awards 2023 1 June 2023 Kapama Private Game Reserve near Hoedspruit will host this year’s Safari Guide of the Year... read more Blood Lions relaunches for public viewing on YouTube 1 June 2023 Award-winning documentary feature film Blood Lions has been relaunched on YouTube for public viewing, creating... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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