Too often, stories about the exploitation of wildlife have focused on the innocent animals, while ignoring the villains behind the crimes. Here at Wildlife Watch, our goal is to give voice to vulnerable wildlife. But it’s also to put a face on the people threatening such animals.



The illegal trade in plant and animal products has become a multibillion-dollar industry. And traffickers are becoming increasingly organized, similar to the crime syndicates involved in the drug trade. Yet the illegal wildlife trade isn’t always taken seriously, making it easier for smugglers to evade detection—and when they do get caught, the penalties may be trivial.

Bryan Christy, the chief correspondent for National Geographic’s Special Investigations Unit, wants to change attitudes