Bo Derek Fights Illegal Wildlife Trafficking

MIAMI, FL -- 1980s supermodel Bo Derek was in Miami on Wednesday to lobby against the illegal trafficking of wildlife.

She was called the "Perfect 10," and now at 51 Derek dedicates herself to protecting wildlife.

Derek represented the U.S. State Department pushing an international coalition to fight the plundering of wildlife.

She said Miami figures prominently in that fight.

She toured the animal inspection facility at Miami International Airport, a major hub for the illegal importation of live animals and dead animal parts.

A significant percentage of the incoming shipments in the inspection facility are illegal.

"Because Miami is such a hub where so much endangered wildlife comes through, it's really important," Derek said. "I was encouraged. I was with officers from three government agencies working together."

Wildlife trafficking is one of the major threats to animals on the brink of a population collapse around the world.

China and the U.S. are the top consumers -- the fuel for the $20 billion illegal trafficking black market.

"Just don't buy it," Derek said. "When the buying stops, the killing stops. So does the crime. So does the poaching and trafficking, all of those things. So if I can encourage people just to stop buying products made of wildlife, we're going to make a huge difference. Maybe some of these animals can sustain their numbers if we just stop buying it."

Derek spoke on Wednesday night at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School on Virginia Key past Miami Seaquarium.

She discussed protection of sharks, coral reefs and other ocean life.