A year ago on September 20th, the Save Vanishing Species semipostal stamp was created to raise public awareness and garner support for global conservation efforts. By the end of August 2012, 14.9 million stamps had been sold, raising more than $1.5 million for conservation.

Manufacturers and sellers of musical instruments have recently encountered problems in exporting musical instruments containing Brazilian rosewood to the European Union. A brief discussion on Brazilian rosewood and what is allowed under EU regulations, can be read here. Please also visit our Permits page for more information wood and other tree products.

Four individuals arrested last February in Operation Crash and a company charged in the case for unlawful trafficking in rhino horn have pleaded guilty to Federal felony charges. Crimes acknowledged by the defendants include conspiracy, money laundering, tax fraud, and interstate and international wildlife trafficking. Read the news release.

The Department of Justice and Gibson Guitar Corp. have entered into a criminal enforcement agreement resolving a Service investigation of Lacey Act violations related to the illegal purchase and importation of woods from Madagascar and India. Read the news release.

The Asian Elephant Conservation Fund (AsECF) will have one proposal submission deadline for FY2013. This single proposal submission deadline is November 1 2012. Please watch for AsECF Notice of Funding Availability announcements on this webpage.