Wildlife Trade and Animal Welfare Enforcement

The illegal wildlife trade causes immense animal suffering and represents a major global animal welfare and conservation crisis.

Key Facts

The illegal wildlife trade is estimated at $23 billion annually, making it the fourth largest criminal enterprise globally
Wild-caught animals experience high mortality during capture, transport, and captivity before reaching markets
CITES regulates international wildlife trade but enforcement capacity varies enormously between countries
Demand reduction campaigns targeting consumer countries are increasingly recognized as essential for trade reduction
Digital marketplaces have created new venues for illegal wildlife trade requiring specialized enforcement

Welfare Considerations

The illegal wildlife trade causes profound individual animal suffering at every stage. Capture methods including snares and traps cause injury and stress. Transport in cramped, dark conditions with inadequate food and water kills a high proportion of animals before they reach market. Those that survive face captivity in conditions wholly unsuitable for their needs. Addressing the trade requires demand reduction, enforcement strengthening, and community-based protection at source.

What You Can Do

Never purchase wildlife products including exotic pets, traditional medicines, or wildlife souvenirs
Report suspected wildlife trafficking to national wildlife crime units
Support organizations working on demand reduction in major consumer markets
Advocate for stronger CITES enforcement and trade bans for threatened species
Learn to identify common wildlife products and report suspicious online listings