FREELAND and USAID launch Asia's Regional Response to Endangered Species Trafficking (ARREST) with government and NGO partners.

ARREST is a five-year program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by FREELAND Foundation. The program is fighting trafficking in illegal wildlife in Asia in three ways: reducing consumer demand; strengthening law enforcement; and strengthening regional cooperation and anti-trafficking networks. ARREST unites the efforts of the member states of ASEAN, China and South Asia, NGOs, and private sector organizations. Together, these dedicated people and organizations are helping Asia respond to the challenge of protecting its unique wildlife.

ARREST aims to:
•Strengthen and sustain the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network;
•Widen the Network’s links to China, South Asia, the United States, and other parts of the world;
•Develop regional centers of excellence in marine enforcement, forest protection, and wildlife crime forensics;
•Help replicate best practices for wildlife law enforcement and conservation throughout Asia; and
•Work to reduce demand for wildlife in key consumption hotspots.

For more information, please view the ARREST Fact Sheet.

ARREST partners include FREELAND Foundation, USAID, ASEAN-WEN, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, ACRES, AsiaWorks TV, Conservation International China Program, Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), GreenEyes China, INTERPOL, JWT, National Geographic, MTV-Exit, Wildlife Alliance, US Department of State, US Department of Justice, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Forest Service.