Articles
How Federal Wildlife Investigations Work
Federal wildlife investigations combine traditional law enforcement techniques with specialized expertise in wildlife biology, trade patterns, and market networks. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's O…
The Lacey Act: America's Primary Tool Against Wildlife Trafficking
The Lacey Act, first enacted in 1900 and substantially amended in 1981 and 2008, is the cornerstone of federal wildlife trafficking law in the United States. It…
Endangered Species Act Violations: Criminal Penalties and Federal Enforcement Procedures
The ESA's criminal provisions authorize misdemeanor and felony charges against individuals who take, possess, or sell listed species. A guide to penalty tiers, USFWS enforcement, and how ESA prosecutions proceed.
Wildlife Trafficking and CITES: How International Treaties Are Enforced in U.S. Courts
CITES regulates international wildlife trade but is enforced in U.S. courts through the Lacey Act and ESA. A guide to how CITES appendices work and how federal prosecutors charge international trafficking cases.
Undercover Wildlife Operations: Legal Framework and Entrapment Defenses in Federal Cases
USFWS uses covert agents and informants to infiltrate wildlife trafficking networks. A guide to the legal authority behind undercover operations and how the entrapment defense is litigated in federal wildlife cases.