Breaking the Chain: Investigating the Networks Behind Illegal Wildlife Trade

When you think of all the transnational organized crime out there—drugs, arms, human trafficking—you wouldn’t immediately think of illegal wildlife trafficking. But it’s the 4th most profitable illegal trade in the world. A global network of traffickers sells shark fins, rhino horns, jaguar skins, illegal fish, and elephant tusks to their global customers. Much of this demand comes from China. In this episode, Andrea Crosta, Executive Director of the NGO called Earth League International, gives us a glimpse into the dark world of wildlife traffickers, and how his team, called the “intelligence agency for Earth” is trying to stop them.  With over 35 years of global conservation experience, Andrea combines nearly two decades of international consultancy in high-end security technologies, homeland security, and risk management with his passion for conservation, environmental crime, and wildlife protection. He founded Earth League International (ELI), played a key role in the Wildlife Justice Commission and The Africa Conservancy Foundation, and led the groundbreaking WildLeaks initiative. Andrea advises the Nature Crime Alliance and has been featured in documentaries like Netflix's 'The Ivory Game' and NatGeo/Disney's 'Sea of Shadows'. Collaborating with U.S. law enforcement, governmental agencies, and academic institutions including Florida International University and Edinburgh University, he's a multidisciplinary entrepreneur and holds degrees in Natural Sciences, Business & Innovation, and Psychology. He's also a Fellow of The Explorers Club.