Today, March 3rd, marks the United Nations innagural World Wildlife Day– a day meant to raise awareness about   the implications of the illegal trafficking of wildlife “that includes elephant poaching, great ape theft and the illegal transport of timber.” The day, which was selected in commemoration of the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973, will be marked by educational events held all over the world (including New York) exploring what can be done to combat this illict $19 billion industry.