Proponents of a new international crime of ecocide argue that the destruction of our shared environment presents a threat at least on the scale of the existing international crimes, and should therefore be included in their number. It is widely acknowledged that this threat results from the three interlinked factors of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The current system for the preservation of biodiversity and endangered species through the prevention of wildlife crime is failing. Lack of resources and jurisdictional constraints often leave domestic law enforcement agencies unable to deal with the transnational criminal networks responsible. In this paper we explore whether the concept of ecocide as an international crime could offer the breakthrough required for wildlife crime to be effectively addressed internationally.