In the early 2000s, the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora cooperating with the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime specified indicators that demonstrate the organized nature of parts of the international illicit wildlife trade. These indicators include: (1) detailed planning; (2) significant financial support; (3) use or threat of violence; (4) international management of shipments; (5) sophisticated forgery and alteration of permits and certifications; (6) well-armed participants with the latest weapons; and (7) opportunity for massive profits. Many of these indicators point to the fact that the perpetrators of these crimes require prior criminal experience to conduct their activities. Today, the relatively low risk of detection and low level of penalties imposed on those convicted of wildlife crime or illicit trade make these activities attractive to organized criminals. Specialized units devoted to combating wildlife crime are limited throughout the world. Those law enforcement tasked with combating this crime typically have little training or experience to effectively target or combat these organized criminals. Notes