The INTERPOL's new environmental unit was officially launched this past Tuesday, is based in Nairobi, Kenya

Oct 9, 2014 18:03 GMT  ·  By

Earlier this week, on Tuesday, the International Criminal Police Organization, better known as the INTERPOL, announced the creation of a new unit whose working agenda boils down to fighting poaching and trafficking.

The new INTERPOL unit, based in the city of Nairobi in Kenya, Africa, is expected to help put a dent in wildlife crime. Members are expected to first and foremost try and curb illegal trading activities involving ivory and rhino horns.

Information shared with the public says that the team will work closely with authorities in regions that list poaching as a threat to biodiversity to make sure that elephants and rhinos get the best possible protection against hunters looking to butcher them.

What's more, the new INTERPOL unit will help environmental group the Wildcat Foundation safeguard the home of species that are now in danger of going extinct either because of hunting activities or because of habitat loss.

Commenting on the creating of this environmental crimes unit based in Nairobi, Kenya, Australian High Commissioner Geoff Tooth said, “The global fight against illegal trafficking has just been given a significant boost.”

“The new INTERPOL team in Nairobi will mean better intelligence gathering and sharing among the law enforcement community, which is key to shutting down the poachers and smugglers,” he went on to argue.