ZOO ATLANTA IS ONE OF THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE WILDLIFE CONFISCATIONS NETWORK

First-of-its-kind pilot program works to combat one of the world’s most pervasive and damaging illegal trades 

ATLANTA – July 24, 2025 – Zoo Atlanta is proud to have been accepted as one of the newest members of the Wildlife Confiscations Network.  

Operating under the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, a program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Network is a first-of-its-kind pilot program that strives to reduce wildlife trafficking and increase support for law enforcement by providing a coordinated system to ensure the care and welfare of confiscated live wildlife.  

“Zoo Atlanta’s membership in the Wildlife Confiscations Network is official recognition of work we are already doing and places our organization in direct contact with more agencies who can help the Zoo and other partners assist in providing expert care, appropriate housing, and more for confiscated animals,” said Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation.  

Not only is wildlife trafficking a conservation crisis, with countless plant and animal species being pushed toward extinction from illegal harvest of and trade in live wildlife and products made from them, but it is also one of the largest illegal trades. Ranking alongside drug and human trafficking and weapons smuggling and often fueled by many of the same criminals, the trade is worth billions a year.   

When live wildlife is seized at U.S. ports of entry or exit, it is critical to provide the highest standards of care as quickly as possible. The journey of live animals from the wild to the hands of buyers often subjects wildlife to extraordinary suffering, and many do not survive the brutal conditions of capture and transport. The Wildlife Confiscations Network brings together zoos, aquariums, non-governmental organizations, universities, botanical gardens, and certified facilities of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries in assuring high standards of management of confiscated wildlife.  

Participant facilities such as Zoo Atlanta must go through a rigorous vetting process to ensure they can meet the health and wellbeing needs of the animals and the expectations of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other wildlife law enforcement agencies.  

“In becoming part of the Wildlife Confiscations Network, Zoo Atlanta is able to provide more on-the-ground assistance and expertise in individual cases, but equally importantly, we are able to share with our audiences that there are ways they can help – in their own decisions when researching pets and purchasing products and by being mindful of social media content which may inadvertently promote the wildlife trade,” Ferrie said.  

Learn more about everyday actions and advocacy at AZA’s NotAPet.net.