The Big 3

Three species especially at risk from wildlife trafficking are Rhinos, Elephants, and Tigers. Collectively known as ‘The Big 3’ they represent large, charismatic megafauna that are frequently trafficked for their ivory, horn, bone, skin, and other parts.

The Repository inventory includes products and parts made from the Big 3. Trophies, skins, carved ivory, rhino horn, and traditional medicinal products containing tiger bone are just a few examples of items that have been confiscated as part of the illegal wildlife trade.

Learn more about these species and the laws and regulations surrounding them here:

Elephants

Elephants are poached for trophies and for their ivory. Ivory comes from the tusk or incisor tooth of an elephant and is often used as a medium for art carvings and jewelry. Elephants are a long lived species that do not reproduce quickly, and the rate of poaching is not sustainable for current populations. The Repository held the first Ivory Crush for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to raise international awareness about elephant poaching. Read more about the ivory crush here: Ivory Crush 2013. Ivory Crush

African elephants: https://www.fws.gov/international/animals/african-elephants.html
Asian elephants : https://www.fws.gov/international/animals/asian-elephants.html
Search for major cases involving elephants:
https://search.justice.gov/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&affiliate=justice&query=elephant

Rhinos

Rhinos have seen a dramatic increase in poaching for their horn, believed to cure a variety of ailments ranging from cancer to a hangover cure despite no scientific evidence supporting these claims. Rhino horn is predominantly made of keratin, the same protein found in skin and fingernails. The number of rhino’s poached has surged since 2007 reaching a record high in 2015 for the continent of Africa.

Rhinos: https://www.fws.gov/international/animals/rhinos.html
Search for major cases involving rhinos:
https://search.justice.gov/search?query=rhino&op=Search&affiliate=justice

Tigers

Despite having only an estimated 3,000-3,500 individuals left in the wild, species of tiger continue to be poached for their fur and parts. In some cultures traditional medicines incorporate tiger parts thought to heal various diseases.

Tigers: https://www.fws.gov/international/animals/tigers.html
Recent case involving tiger habitat:
https://search.justice.gov/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&affiliate=justice&query=tiger