Wildlife trafficking causes immense suffering to individual animals - welfare dimensions of this conservation crime deserve greater recognition alongside species-level concerns.
Wildlife trafficking welfare harm is catastrophic at both individual and population levels. The individual suffering - capture trauma, confinement in small containers during long journeys, temperature extremes, and denial of food and water - causes immense welfare harm regardless of whether animals survive. For parrots and primates, social and cognitive deprivation during trafficking and subsequent captivity adds to physical suffering. Supporting anti-trafficking enforcement, consumer education to reduce exotic pet demand, and confiscated animal rehabilitation organisations addresses welfare and conservation simultaneously.