Wildlife

Wildlife Trade Enforcement: Protecting Animals from Trafficking

The illegal wildlife trade is the fourth largest criminal enterprise globally, causing immense animal suffering through capture, transport, and the conditions of captive holding.

Key Facts

The illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be worth up to 23 billion dollars annually
Over 100 million plants and animals are illegally traded each year
CITES regulates international trade in over 38,000 species of animals and plants
Mortality rates during capture and transport of live animals can exceed 50-80% for some species
Social animals like parrots and primates suffer additional trauma from family separation

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife trafficking causes suffering at multiple stages: traumatic capture from the wild, stressful transport in inadequate conditions, and often chronic suffering in inappropriate captivity. Even 'legal' trade frequently involves welfare abuses. The link between consumer demand for exotic pets, wildlife parts, and traditional medicines drives this multi-billion dollar industry of suffering.

What You Can Do

Never purchase wildlife products where provenance is uncertain
Use dedicated apps like WildScan to identify and report suspected trafficked species
Support TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network
Advocate for stronger penalties for wildlife trafficking in your jurisdiction
Choose wildlife tourism that supports rather than exploits wild animals