Wildlife trafficking

Senate passes bill to combat wildlife trafficking

The Senate has approved a bill to boost efforts to combat illegal wildlife poaching and trafficking, a growing problem worldwide with an estimated cost of up to $10 billion a year.

The measure is aimed at protecting a variety of animals, from lions, elephants and rhinos to exotic birds and sharks. It supports ongoing work of a presidential task force on wildlife trafficking and directs U.S. agencies to work with countries affected by wildlife crime, such as the 2015 killing of Cecil the lion by an American during an illegal hunt in Zimbabwe. It also gives prosecutors more tools to go after individuals involved in trophy hunting and other crimes.

The measure, sponsored by Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., was approved unanimously late Thursday. The senators have traveled together to several African countries and have pushed for the bill since last year.

Coons said he was disturbed by news reports that African elephant population has shrunk by 30 percent since 2007, primarily due to poaching.