Executive Order 13648: Combating Wildlife Trafficking
President: Barack Obama
Created a presidential task force and strategy to reduce poaching, illegal wildlife trade and associated organized crime.
Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 13648 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13648 remains unrevoked and directs continuing agency action against wildlife trafficking. The END Wildlife Trafficking Act, enacted on October 7, 2016, supplemented its interagency framework rather than revoking it; completing the initial strategy deadline did not end the order. Sources: Federal Register 2013 executive order disposition table, EO 13648; Signed Executive Order 13648; END Wildlife Trafficking Act, Public Law 114-231; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ongoing wildlife-trafficking work.
What does Executive Order 13648 do?
EO 13648 directed State, Interior and Justice to lead a government-wide task force, produce a national strategy, strengthen enforcement, reduce demand and help foreign partners combat poaching and trafficking. Congress later codified and expanded this work in the END Wildlife Trafficking Act. Fish and Wildlife Service and partner agencies continue law enforcement, attaché, forensic, assistance and treaty programs in 2026.
Before and after
Before the order
Agencies enforced wildlife laws but lacked a single high-level transnational strategy linking conservation, diplomacy and organized-crime tools.
After the order
A cabinet task force coordinated enforcement, demand reduction and international capacity building, later supported by statute.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| State Interior and Justice | Lead interagency strategy | Continuing |
| Fish and Wildlife Service | Investigate inspect train and support conservation | Continuing |
| Federal agencies abroad | Assist partners and reduce illicit demand | Continuing |
What happened next
EO 13648 created the task force.
The END Wildlife Trafficking Act became law, supplementing the order’s anti-trafficking framework. Official source.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
The Endangered Species Act, Lacey Act, CITES implementing law, customs and criminal statutes govern enforcement. The END Wildlife Trafficking Act provides lasting coordination and reporting authority.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
- Congress.gov — END Wildlife Trafficking Act (opens in a new tab) Official record
- Fish and Wildlife Service — law enforcement (opens in a new tab) Official record
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 15, 2026. How we research →