Writing for the Huffington Post, Dr. Cristián Samper, President and CEO of WCS, said:

"Illegal wildlife trafficking may prove to be the demise of many of our Earth's species. Further, this activity -- which is snuffing out the last populations of elephants, tigers and other animals -- finances organized crime and augments the spread of zoonotic diseases. There is no lack of reasons to join efforts to stop wildlife trafficking. Together, we need to protect the source, break the chain and stop demand.

At a recent event in Washington, D.C., U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated words spoken by the State Department's Bob Hormats, saying: "...wildlife trafficking has become more organized, more lucrative, more widespread, and more dangerous than ever before."