"President used second executive order this week to launch task force which will draft strategy to curb $10 billion illegal trade."
"Barack Obama launched a new initiative against wildlife trafficking on Monday, using his executive authority to take action against an illegal trade that is fuelling rebel wars and now threatens the survival of elephants and rhinoceroses.
The initiative, announced as the president visited Tanzania on the final stop of his African tour, was the second time in a week Obama has used an executive order to advance environmental policy, after announcing a sweeping new climate change plan.
Monday's executive order would set up a presidential task force to draw up a new strategy for cracking down on the criminal gangs behind the explosion in trafficking, as well as choke off demand for elephant ivory, rhino tusk and other animal parts.
Estimates by conservation groups suggest the illegal trade in wildlife is worth up to $10bn a year."
Suzanne Goldenberg reports for the Guardian July 1, 2013.
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