Wildlife Trafficking

Definition

Wildlife trafficking refers to the illegal trade in wild animals and plants, including their parts and derivatives. It is a global issue that threatens the survival of many endangered species and disrupts delicate ecosystems. This term is particularly relevant in the context of animal industries and the broader animal trade.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Wildlife trafficking is a highly lucrative criminal enterprise, generating an estimated $10-23 billion in annual revenue globally.
2. The illegal wildlife trade is the fourth-largest transnational crime after drug trafficking, human trafficking, and counterfeiting.
3. Common wildlife trafficking products include ivory, rhino horn, tiger parts, pangolin scales, and exotic pets like parrots and reptiles.
4. Organized crime syndicates often use the same routes and methods for wildlife trafficking as they do for drug and human trafficking.
5. Wildlife trafficking has a devastating impact on biodiversity, contributing to the decline of many endangered species and disrupting fragile ecosystems.

Review Questions

• Explain how wildlife trafficking is connected to the broader animal trade industry.
  • Wildlife trafficking is a significant component of the larger animal trade industry, which encompasses the legal and illegal buying, selling, and exploitation of wild animals and their products. The illegal wildlife trade is often intertwined with legal animal industries, such as the exotic pet trade and the use of animal parts in traditional medicine. Addressing wildlife trafficking requires understanding its role within the broader context of animal industries and the complex web of supply chains, consumer demand, and criminal networks that sustain it.
• Analyze the impact of wildlife trafficking on endangered species and ecosystems.
  • Wildlife trafficking poses a grave threat to the survival of many endangered species, as the poaching and removal of animals from the wild can lead to population declines and even local extinctions. The illegal trade in wildlife also disrupts the delicate balance of ecosystems, as the removal of keystone species can have cascading effects on the broader food web and habitat. Additionally, the introduction of non-native species through the wildlife trade can lead to the displacement of indigenous species and the spread of invasive diseases, further destabilizing fragile ecosystems.
• Evaluate the role of international cooperation and policy interventions in addressing the global issue of wildlife trafficking.
  • Combating the global issue of wildlife trafficking requires a coordinated, multi-faceted approach that involves international cooperation, robust legal frameworks, and targeted policy interventions. At the international level, initiatives such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) aim to regulate the global trade in wildlife and combat poaching and trafficking. National governments must also enact and enforce strict laws and penalties to deter wildlife trafficking, while working collaboratively with law enforcement agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities to disrupt trafficking networks and reduce demand for wildlife products. Ultimately, addressing the complex drivers and enablers of wildlife trafficking will require a sustained, comprehensive effort that addresses the issue from multiple angles and at various scales.

Related terms

Poaching:

The illegal hunting, killing, or capturing of wild animals, often for the purpose of selling their body parts or derivatives on the black market.

Endangered Species: Plants and animals that are at risk of extinction due to factors such as habitat loss, hunting, and the illegal wildlife trade.

Demand Reduction: Strategies aimed at decreasing the demand for wildlife products, which is a key driver of the illegal wildlife trade.