TRAFFIC
TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, is a joint conservation programme of WWF and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Through TRAFFIC, WWF works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature – that means ensuring that trade is managed sustainably and the integrity of ecosystems isn’t damaged while ensuring that the needs of people are still supported.
TRAFFIC Feature
Dying your hair blond, secretive missions and other surprising tales from the risky world of fighting the illegal global wildlife trade…
You could say it’s been an eventful 25 years for TRAFFIC’s Tom Milliken. As the longest-serving member of TRAFFIC – a joint programme of WWF and IUCN (the World Conservation Union) – he has been at the sharp end in the battle against the illicit trade in wild animals and plants. Fearless Tom has even taken part in undercover missions, such as his campaign to expose the Indonesian trade in sea turtles in the 1980s. He felt compelled to dye his then black hair blond and shave off his moustache to prevent him being recognised by wildlife traders.
“I was completely transformed,” recalls Tom, who is now 56 and works as the director of TRAFFIC’s East and Southern Africa regional office. “But it was the only way I could discover how they do business, and the extent of the trade. Although I was personally horrified by my appearance, it actually worked.”
The investigation gave Tom an unrivalled insight into the trade, and enabled him to document illegal stockpiles of over 12 tonnes of hawksbill turtle shell. A crackdown on the industry followed, and when researchers returned to Indonesia years later, they discovered the collapse of the turtle market.
Although no TRAFFIC staff have been harmed during their investigations, there have been reports of researchers from some animal charities being injured and kidnapped after their cover was blown.
But TRAFFIC isn’t all about derring-do and confrontation. Tom has helped secure legislative successes for vulnerable species worldwide. TRAFFIC’s goal is to ensure that the trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.
Nowadays, TRAFFIC rarely carries out undercover work, relying on better cooperation from law enforcement agencies, which view wildlife crime more seriously than before. “In today’s world, I would never allow any of my staff to engage in deep undercover activities as the potential for things to go horribly wrong is now well recognised.”