EIA Report Details Wildlife Crime Syndicates Ahead of London Wildlife Trade Conference [VIDEO]

Shell corporations, money laundering and a sophisticated network of illegal arms distribution are just part of an extensive wildlife crime operation that fuels poaching and trafficking of endangered animals, according to a new report from the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) that details a number of wildlife crime case studies.

The report, "In Cold Blood - Combating Organised Wildlife Crime," was released Friday, just days ahead of of the UK's landmark Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade on Feb. 13.

The aim of the conference is for world leaders to agree to a high-level political commitment to combating the illegal wildlife trade, and the EIA report offers several wildlife crime case studies - including evidence of extensive ivory trafficking through Singapore and the Sarju organized crime network that traffics big cats through Asia - which it says highlight the lessons that will enable better enforcement and conservation.

"With Prime Minister Cameron bringing some major world leaders to the table to focus on this issue, there is a real opportunity for a meaningful legacy of action arising from the London Conference," Debbie Banks, a campaigner with the EIA, said in a statement emailed to reporters.

"It is our profound hope that the UK will demonstrate bold leadership at this global event and forge a consensus to take urgent action," Banks said.

The $17 billion-per-year international wildlife crime trade is the world's fourth largest illegal activity, behind drug trafficking, the illegal arms trade and human trafficking, according to Mary Rice, the EIA's Executive Director.

Funds from wildlife crime and related forest crimes are used to fund insurgents, destabilize governments and have been linked to terrorism, Rice said in a video released earlier this week (posted below).

Individuals and organizations engaged in wildlife crime are incentivized by the high-reward, low-risk nature of the trade, Rice said, adding that there is a lot than can be done to invert the current nature of the system.

"There are also two very simple but bold moves that parties to the London Conference can take right now to show they are serious," Rice said.

"First, they and the UK can destroy stockpiles of ivory, rhino horn and tiger parts and products not required for prosecution or law enforcement training. Secondly, they can embrace a policy of zero tolerance toward all trade," she said. "And that includes legal domestic trades as well as all illegal international trade so that this time, enforcement and demand reduction campaigns stand a chance of success."