Wildlife Trafficking Enforcement Welfare

Wildlife trafficking is the fourth largest criminal enterprise globally, and enforcement operations have their own welfare implications for trafficked animals.

Key Facts

Wildlife trafficking generates approximately $23 billion annually in criminal proceeds
CITES regulates the international trade of over 38,000 species of plants and animals
Confiscation of trafficked animals creates a welfare challenge when facilities to house them are inadequate
Many confiscated animals die in holding facilities due to lack of expertise and capacity
The longest legal trafficking chains involve multiple transshipment countries with varying enforcement

Welfare Considerations

Effective wildlife trafficking enforcement saves animals from the welfare harm of the trade but creates an immediate welfare responsibility for confiscated individuals. Countries that intercept trafficked animals without adequate holding facilities and repatriation infrastructure may cause as much welfare harm through detention as the trafficking itself. Building enforcement capacity alongside confiscation facilities, and developing rapid repatriation protocols, are essential complements to enforcement operations.

What You Can Do

Never purchase wildlife products that may have been trafficked
Support CITES enforcement capacity building programs
Donate to organizations providing confiscated animal care and repatriation
Advocate for import controls that reduce demand-side trafficking incentives
Report suspected wildlife trafficking to customs and wildlife enforcement authorities