This monograph explains the double negative impact of wildlife resource exploitation by transnational criminal organizations and provides an example of an operational approach to address the problem. The first case study explains the evolution of poaching enforcement during the development of natural parks in the United States. The second case study uses the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to demonstrate how to turn the illicit trade of wildlife resources into a legitimate and profitable industry. The ultimate aim is to secure wildlife resources, deny transnational criminal organizations the opportunity to exploit wildlife resources, and enable legitimate governments to sustain wildlife populations and profit from their own natural environments.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)