Illegal wildlife trade

Estimates of the illegal trade in wildlife are generally around 7–23 billion dollars annually, including anything from insects, reptiles, amphibians to mammals. It concerns both live and dead specimens or even products made from wildlife or plants. The specimens and products are used for pharmaceutical, ornamental or traditional medicinal purposes. Illegal harvest and trade includes a range of species from iconic ones like gorillas, orangutans, elephants, tigers, rhinos, Tibetan antelopes and pangolins to corals, birds, reptiles and sturgeon for caviar. These species often constitute significant financial transactions, both for national economies as well as to black markets. Due to lack of clear definitions, the boundaries between different types of environmental crimes is sometimes unclear.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Climate Action

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions