Three travel industry associations announced Wednesday they will work to educate travelers about how to recognize and avoid purchasing illegal wildlife products.

The Adventure Travel Trade Association, American Society for Travel Agents and Cruise Lines International Association said they have partnered with the U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance to produce a digital toolkit for travel industry professionals. The toolkit will provide the resources needed to engage travelers about how to stop illegal trafficking of wildlife and products made from threatened and endangered species.

"Our planet's wildlife is disappearing at a devastating rate as poachers meet consumer demand for exotic wildlife products," ATTA President Shannon Stowell said. "Much of this trade takes place abroad, where travelers may encounter unfamiliar objects and be unaware that they are contributing to the problem."

The toolkit materials were developed through an Alliance coalition that includes travel companies, conservation groups, Discovery Communications and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

"The travel and tourism industry has a unique ability to reach millions of people around the world and show them how they can be part of the solution to end wildlife trafficking," ASTA CEO Zane Kerby said. "The Alliance toolkit gives industry leaders a step-by-step guide for educating travelers about the potential pitfalls they can encounter while shopping overseas." http://bit.ly/2k7G5BI

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