Earth League International (ELI)

ELI is on the front page of The Washington Post! We’re thrilled to share that Earth League International (ELI) is featured on the front page of The Washington Post for our groundbreaking investigations into jaguar trafficking, crime convergence, and money laundering in Latin America. Our work has already led to multiple arrests and official investigations across Latin America and the U.S., uncovering the deep links between wildlife trafficking, organized crime, and corruption. Suriname, in particular, has been a challenge. Deep-rooted corruption and the pervasive influence of international traffickers on local authorities made it difficult to trigger the necessary level of action. To push for action, we gave The Washington Post exclusive access to our investigations, exposing how these criminal networks operate. We hope to bring these issues directly to the public’s attention and put pressure on both local and international stakeholders to act. From the article: "One of Suriname’s most prolific wildlife-trafficking groups is a network of currency traders that has branched out into smuggling migrants from southern China into the United States. They charge roughly $55,000 per person, according to ELI reports provided to the U.S. government." We hope this high-profile exposure will ignite further dialogue and sparks urgent action—not just in Suriname, but across the region. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/d8hfM2Dr #EarthLeagueInternational #WildlifeCrime #CrimeConvergence #JaguarTrafficking #MoneyLaundering #Investigations #WashingtonPost

ELI stands with a broad coalition of NGOs, associations, engaged citizens, and public figures who have joined forces to launch the European Action Wolves (@focalepourlesauvage)- #EAW campaign. This initiative fights against the downgrading of the wolf’s protection status, a decision voted on December 3, 2024, by the member states of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention. This move disregards science, threatens biodiversity, and opens the door to increased culling. 693 scientists have condemned this politically driven rollback, stressing the vital role wolves play in Europe’s ecosystems. Allowing politically motivated downgrades, against scientific advice, threatens not only wolves but the integrity of environmental agreements as a whole. Without intervention, the wolf’s protection status will be reclassified, exposing the species and its ecosystems to devastating consequences. However, if at least 17 countries submit an official objection before March 6, 2025, the downgrade will NOT take effect. ELI urges you to join us in taking action at EuropeanActionWolves.org !

SAVE THE GREY WOLF – ACT NOW! The Standing Committee of the Bern Convention has voted to weaken protections for the grey wolf, downgrading its status from "strictly protected" to merely "protected." This decision ignores scientific evidence, putting wolves at even greater risk of culling and destruction. But the fight isn’t over—we can still overturn this decision A coalition of organizations has already taken legal action, and the European Court of Justice has accepted their case. If at least 17 countries submit an official objection before March 6, 2025, the downgrade WILL NOT take effect. The movement is growing! -Over 90 NGOs have joined forces to stop this attack on wolves—we will close the opportunity to join us on March 2 to finalize our coalition numbers. -Thanks to collective mobilization, nearly 2 million emails have already been sent to decision-makers. -693 scientists have spoken out, denouncing this decision as politically driven, not science-based. Now we need to increase the pressure! 🔹 Call on your government to object to this decision. 🔹 Help amplify our media efforts—spread the word! 🔹 Support the legal action now before the European Court of Justice. 🔗 You can take action NOW: https://lnkd.in/gMuN8jPJ Every voice counts. Let’s stand together to protect the grey wolf before it’s too late! 🐺 #SaveTheGreyWolf #ActNow #BernConvention #ProtectWolves

Earth League International (ELI) was recently featured in a powerful Mongabay's article, highlighting the urgent need for innovative, intelligence-led strategies to save the vaquita. With fewer than 10 vaquita left, the world’s rarest marine mammal is on the brink of extinction—caught as bycatc of illegal totoaba fishing and the transnational criminal networks that drive it. For years, patrols in Mexico’s Gulf of California have tried to keep illegal fishing at bay, but enforcement alone won’t solve the crisis. ELI and its founder, Andrea Crosta, emphasize that the real battle is against the international wildlife trafficking networks fueling the vaquita’s destruction. “This is not a Mexico problem. If we keep looking at this as a Mexico problem, we will never, ever succeed,” Crosta warns. At the root of the crisis is the global demand for totoaba, which has created a black-market pipeline worth millions. ELI’s investigations have uncovered how these sophisticated transnational organized crime networks finance the illegal totoaba fishing and smuggle swim bladders to China, where they can sell for up to $80,000 per kilogram. These sophisticated criminal groups are capable of laundering millions across multiple countries and financial systems. According to ELI, the only way to stop the illegal trade—and save the vaquita—is to disrupt the cash flow and dismantle the networks that profit from it Since 2017, ELI has identified 160 traffickers linked to 17 different criminal groups and has helped bring down major players in the totoaba trade. But the work is far from over. ELI calls for stricter gillnet regulations and stronger U.S.-Mexico-China collaboration through multiagency task forces to tackle wildlife trafficking’s links to drug trafficking and money laundering. Discover more about ELI’s innovative intelligence-led conservation strategies: https://lnkd.in/gcuV_T8s #EarthLeagueInternational #WildlifeCrime #Vaquita #TotoabaTrafficking #TransnationalCrime #EnvironmentalJustice

Breaking News: Wolf Downlisting Challenged in EU Court The fight to protect wolves in Europe has taken a major step forward!  The General Court of the EU has accepted a legal appeal challenging the EU Council’s decision to downlist the grey wolf (Canis lupus)—a move that conservationists and scientists strongly oppose. Five organizations—Green Impact (Italy), Earth (Italy), Nagy Tavak (Hungary), LNDC Animal Protection (Italy), and One Voice (France)—are leading this crucial legal battle, calling for the annulment of the decision. Their case highlights serious scientific and legal flaws, including: - Ignoring scientific evidence: A newly published EU-funded report reinforces that wolf populations remain at risk, contradicting the rationale for downlisting. - Violation of EU environmental laws: The decision fails to meet the legal requirements for ensuring a favorable conservation status for wolves. Earth League International (ELI) stands with these organizations in defending wolves against political decisions that ignore science and conservation principles. The future of Europe’s wolves depends on upholding strong legal protections based on facts, not pressure from special interests. Scientists, conservationists, and organizations can support this effort by learning more and getting involved:  https://lnkd.in/dupEHK_D #Wolves #EU #Conservation #WolfProtection #ScienceNotPolitics #DefendNature

From Africa to Asia: The Unseen Global Network Behind Rhino Horn and Ivory Smuggling The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in Qatar recently intercepted 120 rhino horns and ivory at Hamad International Airport, stopping a smuggler en route from Africa to Asia. This is yet another example of how transnational criminal networks continue to exploit global supply chains to traffic endangered species. This case is not an isolated incident. It’s part of a highly organized transnational trafficking network that stretches across continents, moving endangered species from poachers in Africa to buyers in Asia.  The scale of this trade is staggering, and the stakes are incredibly high—for wildlife, for ecosystems, and for those who profit from the exploitation of nature. At Earth League International (ELI), we’ve been tracing these deadly trade routes for years. In Operation Red Cloud, the most important investigation to date into ivory trafficking from Africa to China, we mapped the intricate web of suppliers, middlemen, and buyers driving this brutal trade. Our intelligence work helped expose major wildlife crime syndicates, including the arrests of top wildlife crime kingpins in Thailand—a significant victory in the fight against illegal wildlife trade. These arrests demonstrate that with intelligence-led investigations and global cooperation, we can disrupt even the most entrenched criminal networks. The fight against rhino horn and ivory trafficking is far from over. But every major seizure and every criminal brought to justice is a step toward dismantling these illegal supply chains. Read about the recent rhino horn and ivory seizure: https://lnkd.in/g8Hm5g6J Learn about ELI’s Operation Red Cloud and how we helped take down key wildlife traffickers: https://lnkd.in/gqtpEfED #WildlifeCrime #RhinoHorn #IvoryTrafficking #OrganizedCrime #EnvironmentalJustice #EarthLeagueInternational

Earth League International stands with conservationists to stop the reckless killing of wolves across Europe. On December 3, 2024, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention made a dangerous decision: downgrading the grey wolf’s protection status from "strictly protected" to just "protected." This move ignores science, threatens biodiversity, and paves the way for increased culling. 693 scientists have spoken out—this decision is political, not scientific. The grey wolf is essential to Europe’s ecosystems, and we must act NOW. A powerful coalition is mobilizing—scientists, conservationists, artists, and citizens are demanding that governments oppose this downgrade and protect the grey wolf. If at least 17 countries submit an official objection before March 6, 2025, the downgrade will NOT take effect. Join the Movement! On February 10, 2025, the European Action Wolves (#EAW) campaign launches, bringing together voices from across Europe to defend this critical species. Take Action Now – Follow the instructions at EuropeanActionWolves.org to urge your government to object! #SaveTheGreyWolf #ProtectBiodiversity #EuropeanActionWolves #EAW #BernConvention #EarthLeagueInternational

The global illegal wildlife trade shows no sign of slowing down. A massive international crackdown just revealed the staggering scale of wildlife trafficking—20,000 live animals confiscated, from tiger cubs to songbirds and rare reptiles. But for every animal rescued, countless more remain trapped in the shadows of a multibillion-dollar criminal industry. This isn’t just about poachers or smugglers. It’s about powerful transnational criminal networks—laundering money, forging permits, and exploiting weak enforcement to profit from endangered species. These same networks are often linked to drug trafficking, corruption, and human exploitation. At Earth League International (ELI), we go beyond seizures and arrests. We follow the money, track the traffickers, and expose the convergence of environmental crime with organized crime. Our intelligence-led investigations give law enforcement and policymakers the insights needed to disrupt these networks at their core. Wildlife trafficking isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a global security threat. If we don’t dismantle the networks driving this destruction, the cycle of exploitation will continue. It’s time to stop playing defense. Intelligence-led action is the future of fighting wildlife and environmental crime. Join us. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/ghMj9C3a 🌍 Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gxihYjZf #WildlifeCrime #OrganizedCrime #EnvironmentalCrime #IllegalWildlifeTrade #FollowTheMoney #EarthLeagueInternational

Earth League International (ELI) proudly welcomes Maggie McGraw, who joined us in January 2024. In her role, Maggie synthesizes intelligence to inform the public, government officials, and key partners while also strengthening ELI’s engagement with policymakers to advance our mission. Maggie brings a strong background in environmental and national security policy, with experience on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Aide for Senator Peter Welch (D-VT). She holds a B.S. in Oceans, Atmosphere, and Climate Science and an M.A. in Sustainability Science and Practice from Stanford University. Reflecting on her work, Maggie emphasizes: “Placing strong emphasis on tackling environmental crime, the convergence of illicit activities, and cross-border trafficking networks is essential for our national security and for the defense of our ecosystems. Earth League International plays a critical role in this endeavor. By collaborating with the U.S. Government and its partners, we can protect the rich biodiversity of our planet and strive for a sustainable future for generations to come.” As we enter a new chapter with the incoming Administration, Maggie will play a key role in advancing our country's environmental protection and conservation efforts. #EarthLeagueInternational #EnvironmentalCrime #Policy #NationalSecurity #Biodiversity #Sustainability #MaggieMcGraw