Wildlife smuggling

Item depicts three tables against a wall with various illegal wildlife items across them. Some items include skins, ivory, taxidermy, and shoes.
Illegal wildlife items seized by UK Border Patrol in 2013

Wildlife smuggling or wildlife trafficking concerns the illegal gathering and trade of endangered species and protected wildlife, including plants and byproducts or products utilizing a species.[1] Research on wildlife smuggling has increased, however, knowledge of the illicit trade remains limited. The differences between international policies and tendencies likely contribute to the extensive estimated range of wildlife smuggling, anywhere from $5-$23 billion, with an additional $67-$193 billion when timber and fish are included.[2] The prolific growth of wildlife smuggling makes it the fourth-largest criminal enterprise globally after drug, firearm, and human trafficking. Products demanded by the trade include but are not limited to ivory, bushmeat, traditional medicine, and exotic pets. China and the United States are the largest buyers in the illegal wildlife trade.[3] It often involves other illegal activities such as tranquilizing animals without proper authorization.[4]

  1. ^ Smart, Utpal; Cihlar, Jennifer Churchill; Budowle, Bruce (2021-09-01). "International Wildlife Trafficking: A perspective on the challenges and potential forensic genetics solutions". Forensic Science International: Genetics. 54: 102551. doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102551. ISSN 1872-4973. PMID 34134047.
  2. ^ van Uhm, Daan; South, Nigel; Wyatt, Tanya (2021-12-01). "Connections between trades and trafficking in wildlife and drugs". Trends in Organized Crime. 24 (4): 425–446. doi:10.1007/s12117-021-09416-z. ISSN 1936-4830. PMC 8129602. PMID 34025109.
  3. ^ Guynup, Sharon; Shepherd, Chris R.; Shepherd, Loretta (2020). "The True Costs of Wildlife Trafficking". Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. 21: 28–37. doi:10.1353/gia.2020.0023. S2CID 225096811.
  4. ^ Satyaem, Chaiwat (May 12, 2023). "Wildlife trafficking gang arrested". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2023-11-01.