A Florida man known as "The Monkey Whisperer" was just sentenced to nine months in federal prison for trafficking protected primates, while already on probation for the exact same crime. Over 60 animals, including lemurs, kangaroos, wallabies, otters, and tiny Brazilian marmosets sold for thousands of dollars each, were seized from his operation. Nine months is not enough. And this case is not an isolated incident.

Wildlife trafficking is one of the most profitable illegal trades in the world, and it is happening in plain sight. Exotic animals are advertised on social media, deals are closed on encrypted apps, and transactions are arranged across state lines specifically to avoid law enforcement. The technology that makes it easy to connect buyers and sellers of handbags and furniture is the same technology enabling the illegal exotic animal trade to thrive. Online platforms have a responsibility to detect and report this activity, and right now they are not being held to that standard.

The Lacey Act has been a critical tool in prosecuting wildlife traffickers since 1900. But when a convicted trafficker can reoffend while on probation and walk away with less than a year in prison, the law is not working hard enough. Repeat offenders need mandatory minimum sentences. Judges need stronger sentencing guidelines. And the Lacey Act Reward Fund, which compensates whistleblowers who report illegal wildlife operations, needs significantly more resources so that more tipsters come forward before animals suffer.

Beyond enforcement, Congress must address the root of the problem. Exotic animals like marmosets, lemurs, and wallabies are not domesticated. They do not belong in private hands. A federal framework that sharply restricts or bans the private ownership of exotic and wild-caught animals would reduce demand, protect species, and make the work of traffickers like Jimmy Hammonds far harder to carry out.

These animals cannot speak for themselves. But we can.

Sign this petition to call on Congress to strengthen penalties for repeat Lacey Act offenders, require online platforms to actively combat wildlife trafficking, expand the Lacey Act Reward Fund, and pursue a federal ban on the private exotic pet trade.