Skip to main content 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

## Utility (Top) navigation

-  About Us   **Forward **Back-  About Us
-  Mission & Vision
-  Leadership
-  Our Organization
-  Our Facilities
-  Regions

-  Laws & Regulations   **Forward **Back-  Laws & Regulations
-  Laws, Agreements & Treaties
-  Hunting Regulations

-  Library   **Forward **Back-  Library
-  Categories
-  Collections

                          -   Home 
                          -   Services   **Forward **Back-   Services 
-   Duck Stamps   **Forward **Back-   Duck Stamps 
-   Buy a Duck Stamp or E-Stamp 
-   Buy a Junior Duck Stamp 

-   Fish Stocking 
-   Importing & Exporting 
-   Consultation & Technical Assistance   **Forward **Back-   Consultation & Technical Assistance 
-   ESA Section 7 Consultation 
-   Habitat Conservation Planning (HCPs) 
-   Candidate Conservation Agreements (CCA & CCAA) 
-   Safe Harbour Agreements (SHA) 
-   Conservation Banking 
-   Coastal Barrier Resources Act Project Consultation 
-   Coastal Barrier Resources System Property Documentation 

-   Financial Assistance 
-   Species Management 
-   Investigational New Animal Drugs (INADS) 
-   Permits 
-   Search All Services 
Duck StampsOne of the easiest ways that anyone can support bird habitat conservation is by buying duck stamps.
                          -   Species   **Forward **Back-   Species 
-   Explore Taxonomic Tree 
-   Find a Species 
Interest storyBats: “The Coolest Mammals on Earth”
                          -   Visit Us   **Forward **Back-   Visit Us 
-   Events 
-   Recreation Passes 
-   Outdoor Recreation 
-   Where to Hunt 
-   Where to Fish 
-   Our Locations 
Scenic DrivesTour routes of great scenic drives on National Wildlife Refuges.
                          -   Get Involved   **Forward **Back-   Get Involved 
-   Careers and Internships 
-   Volunteering 
-   Friends Partnerships 
-   Learning Opportunities 
-   Education Programs 
-   Events 
-   Partnerships   **Forward **Back-   Partnerships 
-   Partnership Categories 
-   Partner List 

VolunteerSearch for volunteer opportunities around the country
                          -   Newsroom   **Forward **Back-   Newsroom 
-   Press Releases 
-   Congressional Testimony 
-   Media Contacts 
Wild ThingsNews about wonderful wild things and places
                          -   Initiatives   **Forward **Back-   Initiatives 
-   Combating Wildlife Trafficking 
-   Director's Priorities 
-   Climate Change 
-   Hunting 
-   Fishing 
-   Invasive Species 
-   Pollinators 
-   Protecting Wildlife 
Climate ActionFWS is taking steps to mitigate climate impacts
                          -   I want to   **Forward **Back-  I Want To
-   Report Wildlife Crime 
-   Do Business with FWS 
-   Volunteer 
-   Find a Job or Internship 
-   Visit a Refuge 
-   Buy a Duck Stamp 
-   Apply for a Permit 
-   Find Funding 
-   Find Training 
Wild workSearch employment opportunities with USFWS

## Search

Search

# Office of Law Enforcement

Image Details

                -  Office of Law Enforcement
                -  About Us
                -  What We Do
                -  Contact Us
                -  Get Involved
                -  News
                -  Information for Importers & Exporters
                -  Refuge Law Enforcement
                -  Seizures and Forfeitures

## What We Do

Effective law enforcement is essential to virtually every aspect of wildlife conservation. The OLE is the investigative arm of the Service tasked to investigate wildlife crimes, enforce wildlife laws, regulate wildlife trade, help Americans understand and obey wildlife protection laws, and work in partnership with international, federal, state, local, and tribal counterparts to conserve wildlife resources.

Examples of the OLE’s work includes:
                          - Breaking up international and domestic trafficking rings that target imperiled animals Image Details
                          - Preventing the unlawful commercial exploitation of protected U.S. species
                          - Protecting wildlife from environmental hazards and safeguarding critical habitat for endangered species
                          - Enforcing federal migratory game bird hunting regulations and working with states to protect other game species from illegal take and preserve legitimate hunting opportunities
                          - Facilitating the legal wildlife trade and inspecting wildlife shipments to ensure compliance with laws and treaties
                          - Interdicting illegal wildlife products and injurious species before entering or leaving the country
                          - Working with international counterparts to combat illegal trafficking in protected species
                          - Training other tribal, state, federal, and international law enforcement officers
                          - Using forensic science to analyze evidence and solve wildlife crimes
                          - Distributing information and outreach materials to increase public understanding of wildlife conservation and promote compliance with wildlife protection laws
                          - Enforcing the Indian Arts and Crafts Act to investigate and arrest those who fraudulently produce or sell counterfeit American Indian and Alaskan Native art and craftwork

### Our Laws and Regulations

Antarctic Conservation Act

The Antarctic Conservation Act provides for the conservation and protection of the fauna and flora of Antarctica, and their ecosystems.

Jan 7, 2011

Archaeological Resources Protection Act

The Archaeological Resources Protection Act provides for protection of archaeological resources and sites on public and Tribal lands and for increased cooperation between government authorities, the professional archaeological community, and private collectors with collections obtained before...

Oct 31, 1979

Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act

The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d), enacted in 1940, and amended several times since, prohibits anyone, without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior, from "taking" bald or golden eagles, including their parts (including feathers), nests, or eggs....

Jun 8, 1940

Endangered Species Act

The Endangered Species Act establishes protections for fish, wildlife, and plants that are listed as threatened or endangered; provides for adding species to and removing them from the list of threatened and endangered species, and for preparing and implementing plans for their recovery;...

Dec 28, 1973

Lacey Act Amendments of 1981

The Lacey Act, as amended in 1981 and 2008, prohibits the importation, exportation, transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition, or purchase of any fish or wildlife or plant taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the United States or any Indian...

Marine Mammal Protection Act

The Marine Mammal Protection Act establishes a moratorium on taking and importing marine mammals, including parts and products. Defines the Federal responsibility for conservation of marine mammals, with management authority vested in the Department for the sea otter, walrus, polar bear, dugong...

Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act

The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, commonly referred to as the Duck Stamp Act, requires waterfowl hunters, 16 years of age or older, to purchase and possess a valid Federal waterfowl hunting stamp prior to taking migratory waterfowl. Receipts from the sale of the stamp are...

Mar 16, 1934

Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (16 U.S.C. 703-712) implements four international conservation treaties that the U.S. entered into with Canada in 1916, Mexico in 1936, Japan in 1972, and Russia in 1976. It is intended to ensure the sustainability of populations of all protected migratory...

National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act

The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act provides authority, guidelines and directives for the Service to improve the National Wildlife Refuge System; administers a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife and plant...

Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act

The Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act authorizes grants to foreign governments, the CITES Secretariat, and non-governmental organizations for programs directly or indirectly assisting in the conservation of rhinoceros and tigers. The Act prohibits the sale, importation, and exportation of...

Wild Bird Conservation Act

The Wild Bird Conservation Act requires that all trade in wild birds involving the United States is biologically sustainable and to the benefit of the species and limits or prohibits imports of exotic birds when not beneficial to the species.

African Elephant Conservation Act

The African Elephant Conservation Act (original language) protects declining populations of African Elephants.  The law was enacted to assist with the conservation and protection of the African elephant by supporting conservation programs of African countries.  Additionally, the law...

Oct 7, 1988

Indian Arts and Crafts Act

The Indian Arts and Crafts Act is a truth-in-advertising law that prohibits misrepresentation in the marketing of Indian art and craft products within the United States.  It is illegal to offer or display for sale, or sell, any art or craft product in a manner that falsely...

Nov 29, 1990

Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

## Footer Menu - Employment

-  Careers & Internships
-  Contracting

## Footer Menu - Site Links

-  Leadership
-  Frequently Asked Questions
-  Contact FWS

## Footer Menu - Legal

-  Accessibility
-  Freedom of Information Act
-  Notices
-  Privacy Policy
-  Disclaimers
-  Information Quality
-  Vulnerability Disclosure Policy

## Footer Menu - External Links

-  DOI
-  USA.GOV

                    -  
                    -  
                    -  
                    -  
                    -  
                    -  

### You are exiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website

You are being directed to 

We do not guarantee that the websites we link to comply with Section 508 (Accessibility Requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act. Links also do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
I Understand. Take me there.