Traffic (conservation programme)

TRAFFIC, which stands for Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce, is a global non-governmental organization that helps protect wild plants and animals. It watches how these plants and animals are bought and sold to make sure the trade is fair and does not hurt their numbers. TRAFFIC keeps nature balanced by checking both legal and illegal wildlife trade.

The organization started in 1976 as part of the Species Survival Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Later, it became a partnership between the IUCN and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). TRAFFIC’s work is important because many animals and plants are at risk from how they are traded. By tracking these trades, TRAFFIC helps make sure that wildlife is used in a way that does not threaten their survival.

History

TRAFFIC started opening offices around the world in the 1990s. These offices were in Europe, Africa, and East Asia. They worked to protect animals like tiger and rhino. They made databases to track illegal trade and help governments take better care of wildlife.

In the 2000s and 2010s, TRAFFIC focused on making wildlife trade better and more sustainable. They worked with communities, groups, and businesses. Their goal was to help people live responsibly while protecting animals and plants.

Achievements

TRAFFIC has helped protect wildlife through different programs and databases. The Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS) tracks illegal trade in ivory and other elephant products. It is managed by TRAFFIC for CITES and has many records from many countries. Another program, EU-TWIX, began in 2005 to help European countries share information about wildlife seizures.

Since 2017, TRAFFIC has worked on projects such as the USAID-funded Wildlife-TRAPS to fight illegal wildlife trade in Africa and Asia. They also offer training through the ROUTES Partnership to help protect animals from harmful trade practices.

Wildlife regulations

TRAFFIC has helped protect wildlife by supporting better rules and laws. In 1992, they studied plant trade in Europe and suggested that laws in European countries should be more alike. This work helped create new European Union rules about wildlife trade in 1997.

In 2012, TRAFFIC and WWF began a global effort to stop illegal wildlife trade. Their work helped achieve a major United Nations resolution in 2015 to fight wildlife crime. They also made guidelines in 2007 to help make sure medicines from wild plants do not harm nature. In 2000, TRAFFIC shared important research about the use of wild animal meat, called bushmeat, in Africa.