Wildlife Trade Regulation and Enforcement

The illegal wildlife trade causes direct welfare harm to millions of individual animals and threatens population viability of hundreds of species.

Key Facts

Wildlife trafficking is estimated to be worth 23 billion dollars annually
CITES regulates international wildlife trade for over 38,000 species
Capture and transport in the wildlife trade causes high mortality before animals reach consumers
Live animals in trade often endure weeks of confinement in poor conditions before sale
COVID-19 and other zoonotic diseases have highlighted wildlife trade disease transmission risks

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife trafficking causes acute and chronic welfare harm at every stage of the supply chain. Animals are captured using methods causing injury and stress, packed into containers that prevent normal movement and behavior, and transported over long distances without adequate food, water, or veterinary care. Mortality rates in some wildlife trades exceed 50% before animals reach consumers. For species taken from complex social groups — great apes, elephants, parrots — the trauma of capture and separation is compounded by profound social loss. Addressing demand for wildlife products is ultimately more effective than enforcement alone.

What You Can Do

Never purchase wildlife or wildlife products without verified legal documentation
Report suspected wildlife trafficking to TRAFFIC or national authorities
Support organizations working on wildlife trade enforcement and demand reduction
Advocate for strengthened CITES implementation and enforcement funding
Raise awareness of wildlife trade welfare impacts among potential consumers