America Abroad: Poaching and Terrorism:The Race to Protect Wildlife

Demand for wildlife products like ivory and rhino horn has skyrocketed in recent years, and terrorists and other criminal groups are taking advantage.

On Sunday, August 16 at 9 p.m., Madeleine Brand anchors America Abroad: Poaching and Terrorism:The Race to Protect Wildlife and National Security that looks at endangered species and poaching around the world.  Demand for wildlife products like ivory and rhino horn has skyrocketed in recent years, and terrorists and other criminal groups are taking advantage. Poaching rates are up dramatically, and in some areas, elephants and rhinos are on the verge of extinction. Meanwhile, sale of their tusks and horns is bringing in billions of dollars - revenue on par with the drug trade and human trafficking. Law enforcement has not yet caught up with this growing trade, so for criminal groups, the rewards are high and the risk is very low. But recently, governments, law enforcement agencies, and conservation groups have banded together like never before to protect these endangered creatures and stop this revenue stream for the bad actors who are benefitting from their demise.