Fighting wildlife crimes, has become a priority on the global agenda. In response to this worldwide threat, the United States International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, is providing a year-long training programme for customs officers in SADC countries. SADC customs officials will be trained in Customs Administration and wildlife crime law enforcement operations. The US Deputy Chief of Mission, John Kowalski, on Monday called on the officials to make it their mission to protect their country’s national treasures, from being exploited. He stressed that the future of the country’s resources, including wildlife, depends on an officer’s ability to uphold and enforce the law. Acting Commissioner of Customs in Namibia, Uazapi Maendo, is confident that the training will help officials use modern techniques to successfully prevent illegal trade. The World Customs Organisation’s Modernisation Advisor, Matthew Bannon, told the trainees they aim to mobilise customs officials to target illicit trade in wildlife, in country-to-country cooperation. The project is sponsored by Sweden, the US, Germany and CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.