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Surprisingly, a $200 million black market in butterflies is flourishing around the world and author Jessica Speart's first hand look at how it operates is documented in her new book, "Winged Obsession: The Pursuit of the World's Most Notorious Butterfly Thief." Speart visits Westport Library on April 14 to describe her investigation of this lucrative underworld and our government's mission to capture Yoshi Kojima, "the kingpin of butterfly smugglers."A freelance journalist who frequently covers wildlife enforcement issues, Speart went undercover to follow Kojima. No small feat, Speart says, adding, "It took two years of research, many trips to L.A. and one trip to Japan to produce [the book.]" And when it came to the illegal trade in butterflies, Kojima, Speart's key subject, was king, as he himself boasted. "I am the world's most wanted butterfly smuggler. I am the Indiana Jones of insects," he said.
It seems for some people, beautiful -- and endangered -- butterflies are as desirable as other dwindling species, including gorillas, pandas, and rhinos on the black market. ABC News reports, "U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents say illegal trafficking in wildlife is the No. 1 threat of extinction for animals ranging from elephants to tigers."
A Connecticut resident, Speart has written mysteries as well many magazine articles about wildlife law enforcement, endangered species issues and the environment. Her talk begins at noon and is free. For more information, visit the Library's website.
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