WASHINGTON: The iconic US actress Bo Derek on April 21 was appointed as special envoy of the Secretary of State for Wildlife Trafficking Issues. Derek, best-known for her role in the 1979 feature film 10, appeared at a ceremony at the US State Department and said she was honored to accept such a “daunting” role and to do her part to help save the environment.

“I know my participation in this is going to be small compared to people actively working in the field, but I might be able to help with public awareness,” said Derek, dressed in a black pant suit and white shirt.

She said she will be working with a coalition that is trying stop the illegal trafficking of wildlife, a soaring market worth 10 billion dollars a year.