Wildlife Welfare

Wildlife Crime Trafficking Advanced

Wildlife trafficking causes severe welfare harm to millions of wild animals annually through capture, transport, and captivity in the illegal wildlife trade.

Key Facts

Wildlife trafficking is estimated to be worth 20 billion USD annually, second only to drug and arms trafficking
Mortality from capture and transport can exceed 80% for some species
Animals in transit are kept in extreme conditions causing stress, injury, and death
Demand reduction in consumer countries is essential alongside enforcement
Online platforms including social media have become major vectors for illegal wildlife sales

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife trafficking causes extreme and pervasive suffering for individual animals and threatens wild populations; demand reduction, enforcement, and platform accountability are all required to address it.

What You Can Do

Never purchase wild-caught animals, animal parts, or products of uncertain origin
Report suspected wildlife trafficking to TRAFFIC or national enforcement agencies
Support organisations working on wildlife crime demand reduction and enforcement