The Wildlife Confiscations Network Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a nationwide voluntary program to help federal wildlife law enforcement agencies care for and place animals and plants seized from illegal trafficking at U.S. borders and ports of entry. The network will partner with zoos, aquariums, wildlife sanctuaries, rescue organizations, and universities to coordinate the placement of confiscated animals, maintain a database of qualified facilities, and serve as a single point of contact for law enforcement. This addresses the growing burden on border agents and inspectors, particularly at major ports like Los Angeles and Miami, who lack adequate capacity and expertise to hold and care for live trafficked wildlife—with federal records showing nearly 30 animals seized per day on average between 2015 and 2019. The bill expands a successful two-year pilot program in Southern California that has already placed over 4,100 animals. Congress has authorized $5 million per year from 2026 through 2030 to establish and operate the network, allowing law enforcement to focus on combating wildlife trafficking while qualified facilities handle the animals' care and welfare.
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