Lincoln Park Zoo warns of wildlife trafficking through airports, including O’Hare, during holiday travel season

Lincoln Park Zoo works with 272 trafficked animals that were confiscated over a 25-year period at O’Hare Airport by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, according to curator Dan Boehm. (Kamil Krzaczynski / Getty)

Chicagoans are expected to fly in the largest numbers on record this holiday season, but advocates are asking travelers to help address a different kind of travel that also increases this time of year that’s putting wildlife at risk.

Wildlife trafficking is prevalent during the busy holiday travel season, according to Lincoln Park Zoo, which is working to raise awareness of the issue with the public and enforcement agencies.