,,iii #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 ,,res4 #cgd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #e1 #bjad ,mr4 ,coons 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,udall of ,new ,mexico1 ,mrs4 ,feinstein1 ,mr4 ,inhofe1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,mr4 ,durbin1 ,mr4 ,markey1 and ,mr4 ,cardin7 submitted the following resolution2 which was considered and agreed to ,,resolution ,designating ,march #c1 #bjad1 as ,world ,wildlife ,day4 ,whereas wildlife has provided numerous economic1 environmental1 social1 and cultural benefits during the course of human history1 and wildlife preservation will secure these gifts for future generations2 ,whereas each plant and animal species plays an important role in the stability of diverse ecosystems around the world1 and the conservation of this biodiversity is critical to maintain the delicate balance of nature and keep complex ecosystems thriving2 ,whereas observation of wild plants and animals in their natural habitat provides individuals with a more enriching world view and a greater appreciation of the wonders of the natural environment2 ,whereas tens of millions of individuals in the ,united ,states strongly support the conservation of wildlife1 both domestically and abroad1 and wish to ensure the survival of species in the wild1 such as rhinoceroses1 tigers1 elephants1 pangolins1 turtles1 seahorses1 sharks1 ginseng1 mahogany1 and cacti2 ,whereas the ,convention on ,international ,trade in ,endangered ,species of ,wild ,fauna and ,flora 7referred to in this preamble as ,,cites and also known as the ,washington ,convention7 was signed in ,washington1 ,,dc1 on ,march #c1 #aigc2 ,whereas #agi countries1 including the ,united ,states1 are now parties to ,,cites2 ,whereas ,,cites remains one of the most powerful tools in the world for biodiversity conservation by regulating international trade in wild plants and animals1 including products and derivatives of wild plants and animals1 ensuring the survival of plants and animals in the wild1 and providing long-term benefits for the livelihood of local people and the global environment2 ,whereas ,,cites seeks to ensure that international trade in listed species is sustainable1 legal1 and traceable2 ,whereas the trafficking of wildlife1 including timber and fish1 comprises the fourth largest global illegal trade1 after narcotics1 counterfeiting of products and currency1 and human trafficking1 and has become a major transnational organized crime with an estimated worth of approximately #ai1jjj1jjj1jjj annually2 ,whereas increased demand in ,asia for high-value illegal wildlife products1 particularly elephant ivory and rhinoceros horns1 has recently triggered substantial and rapid increases in poaching of these species1 particularly in ,africa2 ,whereas trafficking of wildlife is the primary threat to many wildlife species1 including elephants1 rhinoceroses1 and tigers2 ,whereas many different kinds of criminals1 including some terrorist entities and rogue security personnel1 often in collusion with corrupt government officials1 are involved in wildlife poaching and the movement of ivory and rhinoceros horns across ,africa2 ,whereas wildlife poaching presents significant security and stability challenges for military and police forces in ,african nations that are often threatened by heavily armed poachers and the criminal and extremist allies of such poachers2 ,whereas wildlife poaching negatively impacts local communities that rely on natural resources for economic development1 including tourism2 ,whereas the lack of sufficient penal and financial deterrents hamper the ability of ,african governments to reduce poaching and trafficking2 ,whereas capacity building1 including material1 training1 legal1 and diplomatic support1 can significantly impact the trajectory of the illegal wildlife trade2 ,whereas wildlife provides a multitude of benefits to all nations1 and wildlife crime has wide-ranging economic1 environmental1 and social impacts2 ,whereas the number of elephants killed by poachers in ,kenya increased by more than #hjj percent from #bjjg to #bjab1 from #dg to #chg elephants killed2 ,whereas the number of rhinoceroses killed by poachers in ,south ,africa increased by more than #gjjj percent between #bjjg and #bjac1 from #ac to #ajjd rhinoceroses killed2 ,whereas the number of forest elephants in the ,congo ,basin in central ,africa declined by approximately two-thirds between #bjjb and #bjab1 placing forest elephants on track for extinction within the next decade2 ,whereas as few as #cbjj tigers remain in the wild throughout all of ,asia2 ,whereas approximately #ajj1jjj1jjj sharks are killed annually1 often targeted solely for their fins1 and unsustainable trade is the primary cause of serious population decline in several shark species1 including scalloped hammerhead sharks1 great hammerhead sharks1 and oceanic whitetip sharks2 ,whereas the ,united ,states is developing strong measures to address the criminal1 financial1 security1 and environmental aspects of wildlife trafficking2 ,whereas ,congress has allocated specific resources to combat wildlife trafficking and address the threats posed by poaching and the illegal wildlife trade2 ,whereas in ,december #bjac1 the ,united ,nations ,general ,assembly proclaimed ,march #c1 the day on which ,,cites was signed1 as ,world ,wildlife ,day to celebrate and raise awareness of the wild fauna and flora around the world2 ,whereas ,march #c1 #bjad1 represents the first annual celebration of ,world ,wildlife ,day2 and ,whereas in #bjad1 ,world ,wildlife ,day commemorations will 8celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora1 raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that wildlife provides to people1 and raise awareness of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime1 which has wide-ranging economic1 environmental1 and social impacts03 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that the ,senate-- 7#a7 designates ,march #c1 #bjad1 as ,world ,wildlife ,day2 7#b7 supports the goals and ideals of ,world ,wildlife ,day1 including-- 7,a7 raising awareness of the benefits that wildlife provides to people and the threats facing wildlife around the world2 and 7,b7 escalating the fight against wildlife crime1 including wildlife trafficking2 7#c7 applauds the domestic and international efforts to escalate the fight against wildlife crime2 7#d7 commends the efforts of the ,united ,states to mobilize the entire ,government in a coordinated1 efficient1 and effective manner for dramatic progress in the fight against wildlife crime2 and 7#e7 encourages continued cooperation between the ,united ,states1 international partners1 local communities1 nonprofit organizations1 private industry1 and other partner organizations in an effort to conserve and celebrate wildlife1 preserving this precious resource for future generations4