Wildlife Crime Welfare: Trafficking and Persecution

Wildlife crime including trafficking, poaching, and persecution causes immense welfare suffering to millions of individual animals annually and threatens entire species.

Key Facts

Wildlife trafficking is the fourth largest illegal trade globally worth billions annually
CITES lists over 38,000 species protected from international commercial trade
Wildlife crime involves thousands of law enforcement officers across 180 countries
Social media platforms facilitate wildlife trade despite platform policies
Corruption in range countries enables wildlife crime to operate with relative impunity

Welfare Considerations

Animals trafficked in the illegal wildlife trade experience acute and prolonged suffering from capture, confinement in cramped containers, dehydration, and untreated injuries during transport. Transit mortality rates for some species exceed 80%. Animals that survive to markets often face further suffering in poor holding conditions before sale. Wild animals poached for meat, skins, bones, or medicine die from snares, traps, and poison causing prolonged suffering before death. The aggregate welfare burden of wildlife crime across millions of individuals annually is one of the largest human-caused animal welfare crises.

What You Can Do

Report suspected wildlife crime to TRAFFIC or relevant national agencies
Never purchase wildlife products from unverified sources
Support TRAFFIC and UNODC wildlife crime monitoring programs
Advocate for stronger penalties for wildlife trafficking in your country
Donate to anti-poaching programs protecting endangered species