WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding final passage of the END Wildlife Trafficking Act (H.R.2494):   

“Some of the world’s most iconic species are quickly disappearing at the hands of poachers. This is a senseless loss, and at the same time it intersects with some of our biggest security concerns.  Those responsible for poaching and wildlife trafficking have deep ties to criminal networks, corruption, and terrorism.  Going after wildlife trafficking and poaching could have ripple effects that touch upon a range of challenges we’re facing on the global stage.

“I was proud to be the lead Democratic cosponsor of this measure, and I want to thank Chairman Royce and our Senate colleagues for their work advancing it through Congress. I’m glad this legislation is headed to the President’s desk.

“I especially want to thank the Wildlife Conservation Society, based at the Bronx Zoo, for their hard work and partnership. WCS provides exactly the kind of advocacy and leadership needed to deal with issues like wildlife trafficking, and their effort helped get this bill across the finish line.”

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