A new front in the global fight against wildlife crime began today in Riyadh, with the launch of the South‑West Asia Illegal Taking of Migratory Birds Intergovernmental Task Force (SWAITBT). Established under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the South-West Asia Illegal Taking of Birds Task Force (SWAITBT) brings together ten range states to confront the illegal and unsustainable taking of millions of birds each year, which has been driving flagship regional species such as the Steppe Eagle, several falcon species and Sociable Plovers towards extinction.