Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is increasingly occurring online, with social media and e-commerce platforms being used to facilitate the sale of endangered species. Data collected from May to July 2024 found 477 online advertisements for 18 protected species across Brazil and South Africa. Shockingly, 78% of these ads are posted on platforms such as Facebook, making social media a major player in the online wildlife trade.
Black-bellied parrots and pirarucu are among the most trafficked fish species, and their populations are already under serious threat from illegal exploitation. The report also highlights the disturbing links between the illegal trade in pirarucu and the cocaine trade in Brazil, highlighting the complex intersection between environmental crime and broader transnational organized crime networks. It shows.
In South Africa, demand for animal parts used in traditional African medicine plays a key role in driving illegal wildlife trade. These products, ranging from bones to live animals, are openly advertised online, raising serious concerns about the sustainability of wildlife populations and the need for stronger regulatory oversight.
Our latest Global Trends Report calls for increased law enforcement efforts, international cooperation, and tighter regulation of online platforms to effectively combat IWT. This provides important insights into trends in illegal wildlife trade and offers solutions to protect vulnerable species and ecosystems from further degradation.
ECO-SOLVE leads investigations into environmental crimes with a global, collaborative, data-driven approach. Our mission is to turn data insights into impactful action. Assist law enforcement agencies in stemming illicit flows. Empower your community. Shape effective global policy. ECO-SOLVE is an EU-funded project within the Global Illicit Entrance Programme.
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