Federal wildlife trafficking and animal cruelty enforcement is
alive and well even as the Trump administration re-allocates U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
resources. At first blush, enforcing wildlife trafficking
crimes may not seem like a priority for the Administration.
However, recent publicity, driven in particular by a new
streaming documentary featuring the pangolin, and the potential
for wildlife trafficking crimes to intersect with the
Administration's publicly-stated Border enforcement priorities
will result in an increased focus on Lacey Act prosecutions.
Legal Framework
The primary statute involved in wildlife crime enforcement is
the Lacey Act, though other statutes have relevant criminal
provisions. The Lacey Act makes it unlawful to import, export,
transport, sell, receive, acquire, certain exotic animals and
plants. It applies not just to live plants and animals but also to
deceased. Violators can face both civil and criminal penalties.
