Federal wildlife law enforcement officers have helped the Nation conserve
wildlife for more than a century. The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Office of Law Enforcement is – and always has been – to
protect wildlife resources.
Through the effective enforcement of Federal wildlife laws, the Office of
Law Enforcement contributes to U.S. efforts to recover endangered species,
conserve migratory birds, preserve wildlife habitat, safeguard fisheries, combat
invasive species, and promote international wildlife conservation.
The Office of Law Enforcement focuses on potentially devastating threats to
wildlife resources – illegal trade, unlawful commercial exploitation,
habitat destruction, and environmental hazards. Our enforcement officers
investigate wildlife crimes; regulate wildlife trade; help Americans understand
and comply with wildlife protection laws; and work in partnership with international,
Federal, State, and Tribal counterparts to conserve wildlife resources.
The Office of Law Enforcement fields a force of Special Agents (criminal investigators
with the authority to enforce wildlife laws anywhere in the United States)
and Wildlife Inspectors (uniformed import/export control officers stationed
at ports of entry and border crossings). Most are “officers on the beat” who
report through seven regional law enforcement offices.
A headquarters office provides national policy and direction for law enforcement
operations; trains law enforcement personnel; fields a special investigations
unit; provides intelligence support; oversees professional integrity; manages
budgetary resources; and provides technical and administrative support for
officers in the field.
The National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory conducts scientific analyses
to help solve wildlife crimes. The Office also operates the National
Wildlife Property Repository, which supplies confiscated wildlife items to
outside groups for educational use, and the National Eagle Repository, which
provides Native Americans with eagle parts for religious purposes.
