When wildlife rangers and conservation experts work to preserve species, they’re protecting more than plants and animals. They’re protecting communities.
Poaching and wildlife trafficking are closely tied to illegal trade in drugs, weapons and even people. So in addition to saving priceless ecological heritage, from cheetahs to corals, wildlife rangers often are fighting one of the largest criminal networks in the world.
Tune in on March 2 at 11 a.m. EST/16:00 UTC for a live-streamed interactive video webchat to meet people who put their lives on the line to stop wildlife trafficking.
These participants will share stories about the lives of wildlife rangers across the globe:
- Mike Veale, a ranger, rhino zookeeper and founder of Global Conservation Force.
- Juliana Machado Ferreira, a conservation biologist and founder of Freeland Brasil.
The group also will discuss how governments, communities and people like you can fight back and stop poaching in its tracks.
Got questions about wildlife protection in your area? Join the conversation at https://share.america.gov/wildlife-trafficking on March 2 at 11 a.m. EST/16:00 UTC.
World Wildlife Day, held March 3, celebrates the diversity of the planet’s plants and animals. Follow @WildlifeDay on Twitter, and use hashtag #WorldWildlifeDay to join the conversation.