TAKING AIM AT POACHING: A VIEW FROM AMERICA'S TOP MILITARY OFFICER IN AFRICA

THU | FEB 6 | 4 PM | 041 HALDEMAN

General Carter Ham, former head of the US Africa Command, talks about poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking in Africa and the major challenges for conservation and the economic well-being of nations on the African continent. He explains how poachers, who are well-armed, well-financed and increasingly violent, take advantage of under-governed and insecure regions. Increasingly, a linkage has been emerging between poachers and other international criminal networks; some ties to extremist organizations also may be developing.

Last year, President Obama unveiled a new US effort to support countries as they seek to combat poaching, and, as the head of U.S. Africa Command, General Carter Ham oversaw America's liaison with security forces across the continent. He explains how poachers, who are well-armed, well-financed and increasingly violent, take advantage of under-governed and insecure regions beyond the reach of most African governments. To address this growing phenomena, he describes the kind of coordinated global approach that would build the capacities of African security forces, interdict the networks and counter the growing demand for rare skins, horns and ivory.

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