Illegal wildlife trafficking is the fourth largest criminal trade globally, and the welfare suffering involved in the live animal trade — from capture to transport to destination — is enormous.
The welfare suffering embedded in the illegal wildlife trade is profound and multistage. Wild animals are captured using traumatic methods — glue traps, snares, nets — that cause acute injury and distress. They are then transported under conditions of extreme confinement, often concealed in suitcases, inside clothing, or in hidden compartments, without food, water, or ventilation. Mortality rates are extraordinarily high, and the animals that survive arrive at their destination in severely compromised condition. The welfare case for strong trade enforcement is therefore not merely about conservation — it is about the individual suffering of millions of animals annually. Improving border detection, increasing penalties, and reducing demand are all essential components of an effective response.