Illegal Wildlife Trade

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ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE - A $23 Billion Industry

Illegal wildlife trafficking is a global criminal enterprise. It is the fourth-largest illicit trade in the world after drugs, human trafficking, and counterfeiting.

The wildlife trade involves the unlawful capture, smuggling, and then sale of wild animals, their parts, plants, and fungi.

Between 2015 and 2026, 9.2 tonnes of ivory, 30.6 tonnes of pangolin scales, and over 13,400 live animals were seized by wildlife organisations.

This devastating crisis is driving extinction risks, causing ecosystems to collapse, and creating untold suffering and cruelty to countless animals.

The trade is organised by the same organised crime groups that facilitate drugs and weapons trafficking. It fuels corruption, other illegal activity, creates instability, and puts the lives of local communities, rangers, enforcement officers, and conservationists in great danger.

Roughly 50 to 100 wildlife rangers are killed every year by poachers and armed militias involved in the trade.

This trade also poses significant risks to global health and security. The illegal movement of animals and plants can facilitate the spread of diseases, some of which may leap to humans, as seen in past pandemics.

Flickr | Bart Wursten

The most trafficked species include:

Pangolins - Over 1 million have been poached in the last decade for their keratin scales used in traditional medicines.

Elephants - An estimated 55 African elephants are poached every day for their ivory tusks used for carvings and jewellery.

Rhinos - For their horns, used in traditional medicine and seen as a symbol of status and wealth.

Tigers & Other Big Cats - For their skins, teeth, bones, and meat.

Parrots & Songbirds - For the exotic pet trade.

China is by far the world's largest consumer destination of illegally trafficked products. Countries like Nigeria and Vietnam act as major transit hubs for transporting products to their final destination.

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Combating this destructive industry requires international cooperation, strict enforcement of laws and treaties, and a dramatic reduction in demand for these products.

Park rangers and border officials must be supported and protected.

As individuals, we can:

• Never buy products made from ivory, fur, reptile skins, tortoise shell, or other wild animal parts.
• Ensure exotic pets are certified captive-bred.
• Check that traditional medicines do not contain endangered animal ingredients.
• Avoid unethical tourism, for example, paying for photos with captive wild animals or consuming exotic meats.

Public awareness and education play crucial roles in curbing demand, while conservation initiatives strive to protect habitats and rehabilitate affected species. By addressing the root causes and implementing robust measures, we can hope to preserve the planet's rich biodiversity for future generations.