Governments from around the world have vowed to take action on the illegal trade in wildlife. At the conference at Lancaster House in London, delegates from 46 different countries have signed The London Declaration. This outlines the steps that need to be taken to stop animal poaching, which governments agreed needs to be treated as a serious crime.
The illegal trade in wildlife is worth about $19bn dollars a year. The London declaration states that investigating the links to corruption and organised crime needs to be made a priority.
The 46 countries have also committed to improving cross border cooperation – and to strengthening laws and policing.
Conservationists broadly welcomed the news, but they say action will be need to be taken quickly.
With tens of thousands of rhinos, elephants and tigers being killed each year, these species face a real risk of extinction.