Wildlife trafficking is the fourth largest illegal trade globally. It causes enormous welfare harms during capture, transport, and keeping, in addition to devastating wild populations and ecosystems.
Wildlife trafficking causes massive welfare harms: the capture and transport process kills the majority of animals in many traded species. Animals that survive to captivity often spend their lives in severely inadequate conditions. The scale of the trade means these harms affect millions of individuals annually while simultaneously undermining wild populations. Demand reduction is the most sustainable long-term solution, complementing enforcement and alternative livelihood programs for source communities.