Wildlife

Wildlife Crime and Animal Trafficking Welfare

Illegal wildlife trafficking causes immense suffering to individual animals and threatens species survival. Demand reduction and enforcement reduce harm.

Key Facts

Wildlife trafficking is estimated to be the fourth largest illegal global trade
Live animals suffer mortality rates of 60-80% between capture and sale in international trade
CITES regulates international trade in over 38,000 species of animals and plants
Demand from traditional medicine, exotic pets, and luxury goods drives trafficking
Wildlife crime enforcement is chronically underfunded relative to the scale of the problem

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife trafficking causes suffering at two levels: individual animals experience acute trauma, injury, and death in transport, while species face population collapse from over-harvesting. Addressing demand - particularly in consumer countries - is more effective and scalable than enforcement alone. Consumer choices about exotic pets, traditional medicine ingredients, and luxury wildlife products matter.

What You Can Do

Never purchase products containing CITES-listed wildlife species or derivatives
Avoid acquiring exotic pets with unclear provenance and wildlife trade risks
Support wildlife crime enforcement organizations and awareness campaigns
Advocate for stronger penalties for wildlife trafficking in domestic law