Wildlife trade

Wildlife trade means buying and selling parts of animals or plants that are not kept on farms. This can include live animals, dead ones, their skins, bones, meat, or other products taken from nature. Some of this trade follows rules to protect animals and plants, but a lot of it happens without permission and is a big problem.

Many animals and plants are hurt or lost because of wildlife trade. This makes it hard for some species to survive. Illegal trade in wildlife is a serious problem. The world is working to stop illegal wildlife trade. For example, one of the United Nations goals is to help protect nature for the future.

Terminology

Wildlife use is a big term that covers all the ways people use animals from the wild. This can include using them for special ceremonies, eating meat from hunted animals, or different kinds of trading. Wildlife trade is when people buy and sell animals or parts of animals, like fur or bones. This trade can be done legally or illegally, and it can happen in one country or between many countries. Often, legal and illegal trade are connected.

Ineffective monitoring of international wildlife trade

The trade of animals and plants from nature is very big and keeps growing. In 2012, people bought about $187 billion worth of these products around the world. This includes fish, plants, and other animals.

But it is hard to keep track of this trade because the system used by customs offices around the world does not give enough details. Most products are listed only as general things like "plant" or "animal products" without saying exactly what they are. This makes it difficult to know what is being traded and to stop illegal trading. Many people think the system needs to change to better protect animals and plants.

Reasons for concern

Wildlife trade is a big problem for animals that are in danger, like mammals, birds, amphibians, and cycads.

When people take too many animals from their homes, it can hurt the places where they live. This adds to other problems animals face, such as over-fishing, pollution, dredging, deforestation, and habitat destruction. Taking many animals away can change nature a lot, just like overfishing can cause too many jellyfish to grow.

Some studies show that animals that do not belong in an area are often sold in wildlife markets.

The United Nations, World Health Organization, and World Wildlife Foundation say that damage to nature, like deforestation and wildlife trade, may have helped cause diseases such as Coronavirus disease 2019.

Zoonoses

Some diseases that can spread from animals to people, like H5N1 avian flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and monkeypox, have been linked to places where live wild animals are sold. These markets can create conditions where diseases change and spread to humans.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, more wildlife was traded online because people needed company and things to do while they were isolated.

Survival rate of species during transport

Sometimes animals like chameleons from Madagascar are moved by boat or plane to reach buyers. Sadly, very few of these animals survive the journey. This is because the trade is often done secretly, and sellers don’t take good care of the animals during transport. Because so many animals don’t survive, even more are taken from their homes to replace those that die.

Consequences for indigenous peoples

In many places, tribal people have had trouble because of the illegal wildlife trade. When there is too much demand for animal products, these communities are sometimes not allowed to hunt for food. They are also sometimes forced to leave their land when nature reserves are created to protect animals. Sadly, they are often blamed for animals disappearing, even though the real reason is sometimes because of hunting by others long ago. In fact, there is evidence that tribal people can help take care of animal populations well.

Illegal wildlife trade

Further information: Wildlife smuggling

The illegal trade of wildlife is very big and happens all around the world. Strong connections to big markets help this trade grow. Weak laws make it easier for people to move animals and animal parts secretly.

Important places for this trade include Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, where animals are sent around the world. Markets in Bangkok sell many animals, even though they are in danger of disappearing.

In Africa, many animals like African elephants, pangolin, and rhinoceros are traded. In Botswana, more dead elephants were found in recent years.

In South America, markets sell many rainforest animals. These animals are sold as food and as pets. This trade is very harmful to animals that are already in danger.

The internet is also used to sell wildlife illegally. Many endangered animals were being sold online in Europe.

Organizations addressing illegal wildlife trade

Many groups work to stop the illegal trade of animals and plants. These include organizations like the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network, the Basel Institute on Governance, and the Clark R. Bavin National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory. Others, such as Four Paws, the FREELAND Foundation, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare, also help protect wildlife. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and the United Nations Environment Programme support these efforts as well.

Legal wildlife trade

Legal wildlife trade happens for many reasons, such as selling animals as pets, using them for business, or trying to help protect them. Some people think allowing legal trade can help stop illegal trade that harms animals. But others worry that selling certain animals, like pets that might escape, can hurt local wildlife.

Some places have successfully managed legal wildlife trade. In Australia, trading saltwater crocodiles and freshwater crocodiles is done carefully with rules set by the government. Kangaroos, like the red kangaroo, are also legally traded for meat and hides, following strict limits to protect their numbers.

In North America, alligators are traded as part of a plan to manage their numbers and help protect their homes.

Some believe allowing legal trade for endangered species could help protect them by making illegal products less valuable or funding conservation. However, this is difficult because of problems like fraud and corruption.

Under rules set by CITES, some endangered species cannot be traded commercially, while others can be traded only if it does not harm their wild populations.

Welfare of animals

Many animals are kept in markets for months before they are sold. Their living conditions are usually very bad. Most do not get enough space, food, or comfort, and they cannot behave normally. Reptiles, for example, are often kept in tight spaces.