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About Carney Anne
Professor Nasser is the big cat expert and animal protection attorney who pitched the wildlife trafficking case against “Tiger King” Joe Exotic that triggered the investigation leading to his conviction for multiple federal crimes and a 22 year prison sentence.
She was only the second full time animal law professor in the world when Michigan State University hired Professor Nasser to be its founding director of the animal welfare clinic at MSU College of Law. Professor Nasser has expertise in litigation, regulatory matters, public policy, lobbying, communications strategies, and social media branding. Most of her seventeen years of legal practice has focused on combatting the exotic pet trade and wildlife trafficking, with a significant focus on protection and conservation of tigers and other big cats.
Prior to her role at MSU, Professor Nasser worked in the non-profit sector, where she served as Associate Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement at the PETA Foundation, and previously as senior attorney for wildlife and regulatory affairs at the Animal Legal Defense Fund. She has provided private consulting services to political candidates, elected officials, and major advocacy organizations to help craft their messaging and strategies on animal welfare priority initiatives.
Professor Nasser is published on the topics pertaining to legal loopholes that facilitate the trafficking and trade in tigers and other big cats and is an internationally recognized expert on big cats and wildlife trafficking. Nasser is a regular participant and contributor at international anti-trafficking treaty meetings and frequently invited to guide state and local legislative bodies on legislative changes that aim to preserve public safety and promote animal welfare.
Professor Nasser holds a B.A. in political science from U.C. San Diego, a J.D. from Tulane University, and a graduate degree in community advocacy from the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. She is a recognized speaker on the national and international circuit and has served as a media spokesperson on a wide range of animal protection issues, including contributions to National Geographic, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Longreads, New York Times, CNN, and NBC’s Today Show. Her podcast, Tiger Talk with Carney Anne Nasser, has listeners in seventeen countries on six continents and is available on Spotify, iTunes, and Anchor.
Professor Nasser serves on the Board of Advisors for the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance and lives with her family in New Orleans, where you’ll find her competing in Porsche autocross racing as often as her busy schedule allows.
Awards
Top Female Achiever
In 2016, the New Orleans Magazine awarded Carney Anne with one of its ten annual “Top Female Achiever” awards for her tireless work to rescue abused and exploited endangered animals and for her contributions to the field of exotic animal protection.
Pictured is Nola, a tiger Carney Anne helped rescue after the cub was found chained in a Louisiana backyard. Nola is now at a reputable, accredited sanctuary outside of San Diego, Calif.
