National Geographic Launches New Push to Expose Illegal Wildlife Trafficking: Wildlife Watch Blog

National Geographic's new Wildlife Watch blog is dedicated to shining a light on the illegal wildlife trafficking.   

According to National Geographic investigative journalist Bryan Christy, "Much of the world’s media has moved away from investigative journalism and wildlife reporting, but National Geographic is moving more systematically toward them, believing that effective wildlife protection begins with objective storytelling".

See the story, learn more about illegal wildlife trafficking, and the New Wildlife Watch blog here

Wildlife Trafficking Measure Gets State of Washington Voters OK

State of Washington voters looked far beyond the state’s borders Tuesday, embracing a measure to help stem the slaughter of African elephants, lions, sharks and other imperiled species around the world.

Read the story here

House of Representatives Take Stand on Illegal Wildlife Trafficking

The House passed the Global Anti-Poaching Act (H.R. 2494), legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which helps the United States and partner countries combat today’s unprecedented level of poaching and wildlife trafficking.

Read a summary of the Global Anti-Poaching Act (HR2494) here

North Dakota Wardens Rescue Stranded Canoeist

A Michigan man, working in western North Dakota, spent the longest and windiest night of his life huddled on an island in Lake Audubon, living out his personal episode of "Survivor."

Eric Gauthier, 34, who’d been working on a pipeline inspection team in the oil patch for three weeks, went fishing on Lake Audubon not long after sunrise Sunday morning, unaware as he paddled along and fished from his canoe that extremely dangerous winds were forecast up to 60 mph.

Read about the rescue here

OK Game LT todd Tobey Attends Prestigious Academy

The Outdoor Wire

Oklahoma game warden Lt. Todd Tobey recently completed the National Conservation Law Enforcement Leadership Academy (NCLELA). The prestigious program brings together conservation law enforcement leaders from across the country for three weeks of intensive training.

The academy, conducted by the National Association of Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs, prepares conservation law enforcement professionals to effectively adapt to a rapidly changing world. Held at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W.Va., the academy provides the practical skills and knowledge needed by those in conservation law enforcement leadership roles in state and federal agencies.

See the story here