Climate & Environment

Wildlife Trafficking

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Definition

Wildlife trafficking is the illegal harvest, transport, sale and purchase of protected wildlife — live specimens, parts and products such as ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales and timber species — in violation of national law and CITES trade controls. It is recognised as serious organised crime.

References

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Source organisationSupporting reference

This reference provides supporting context for how “Wildlife Trafficking” is defined and used.

Overview

How it is used

Governments criminalise trafficking and implement CITES; financial institutions screen for IWT-linked money laundering; the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce engages logistics companies; ESG and reputational risk frameworks treat supply-chain exposure as a red flag.

Why it matters

Trafficking drives species toward extinction and funds criminal networks; combating it protects biodiversity, public health and the rule of law simultaneously.