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DSWF urgently needs funds to help save critically endangered mammals in the wild, and their habitats. Please give all you can.

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Our Projects: Operation Charm

Operation Charm
Location: London
DSWF supported since: 2006
Project Summary: The illegal trade in wildlife is huge. Globally, it is estimated to be worth over £6 billion every year, second only to drugs and arms trafficking. However, the illegal trade in endangered species does not just happen in other countries; it thrives in the UK too and Operation Charm is working to stop this trade in London.
Wildlife crime is a problem in London - the capital is a major hub for Europe's illegal trade in endangered species. We can all play our part in stopping this.
Melanie Shepherd - CEO

Operation Charm was launched by the Metropolitan Police in 1995. It is the only current police initiative against the illegal trade in endangered species in the UK and uses a combination of law enforcement and publicity in London.

In 2006, Operation Charm became a partnership between the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Crime Unit, the Greater London Authority, the Active Conservation Awareness Programme ( ACAP ), the International Fund for Animal Welfare ( IFAW ), WWF-UK and the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation ( DSWF ).

Many of the partners have played a part in Operation Charm before, but the partnership provides a more permanent basis to take Operation Charm forward in the long term.

The campaign is supported by The Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine and The London Chinatown Chinese Association.

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