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Throughout America, black bears are slaughtered for their gallbladders and paws. On the plains of Africa, elephants are slaughtered for their ivory and their meat. In Asia, tigers are bred in commercial "farms" to be slaughtered for their bones, teeth, and skins. Across the globe, threatened and endangered species are slaughtered to satisfy seemingly insatiable human greed — the illegal wildlife trade is thought to be second only to the drug trade in profitability.

Wild animals should not be killed for profit. Keep Wildlife in the Wild!

• Bear gallbladders do not belong in cosmetics! Which is why our Senior VP Adam Roberts is chair of the Species Survival Network (SSN) Bear Working Group that strives to ensure that international trade in bears, their parts, or products made from them does not contribute to the further decline of wild populations.
• Elephant ivory should not be made into chopsticks! Which is why our CEO Will Travers is Co-Chair of the SSN Elephant Working Group that investigates, reports, campaigns, and lobbies on issues relating to trade in African and Asian elephants and their body parts.
• No bottle of wine should ever contain tiger bone! Which is why Born Free USA is a member of the International Tiger Coalition, representing more than 100 organizations across the globe, united to stop trade in tiger parts and products.

Born Free USA wants to stop the slaughter of wildlife for their body parts and products made from them. Help us stamp out the illegal wildlife trade.

• Write a letter to Congress. The US Senate is considering a bill to establish a fund of up to $5,000,000 to support conservation projects in the field saving rare cats and dogs such as African lions, cheetahs, leopards, Ethiopian wolves, painted dogs, and others. The bill has already been passed by the House of Representatives so we have to overcome one last hurdle before getting the bill to the President's desk! Please write to both of your US Senators urging them to support the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2009!
• Ask five friends to join the Born Free USA Action Alert Team so they can find out ways to make a difference for wildlife every week.
• Get in touch with your wild side! Take our "What is Your Animal Protection Totem" quiz on Facebook. Be sure to share your wild animal alter-ego with all your friends and have them take the quiz too!

• Do become an ecotourist! Born Free USA believes strongly that animals are worth more alive than dead. The more people go watch whales and elephants and lions, the more money that can be made for local communities year in, year out. As a result, there will be less pressure to kill wildlife for short-term profit.
• Do report anyone in your community who you know is selling wildlife parts or products illegally. Contact Born Free USA and we'll help you identify the right authorities to submit your complaint.
• Don't buy any wildlife products. When you travel this summer, you may be tempted by stalls in hotels and airports and street markets selling turtle shell, ivory, coral, or tropical hardwood products. Play it safe — just say no!
• Don't eat "exotic" animal foods in restaurants. Tiger has been spotted on the menu in China (it's illegal) and lion steaks were recently advertised to order on a US website. Choose wisely. Eat well. Protect wildlife!