A 2024 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed that 140,000 illegal wildlife trafficking operations were disrupted between 2015 and 2021, resulting in the seizure of 13 million items. However, these confiscations represent only a small portion of the total illegal trade.
The seizures involved approximately 4,000 species of wild plants and animals across 162 countries and territories. The most commonly trafficked species were corals (16%), crocodiles (9%), and elephants (6%). Among animal products, rhino horns accounted for the largest market share (29%), followed by pangolin scales (28%) and elephant ivory (15%). In plant species, cedarwood and trees from the Sapindales order dominated at 47%, followed by rosewood (35%) and agarwood and other myrtle family plants (13%).
These crimes are exacerbated by increasing demand for medicinal products, exotic pets, bushmeat, ornamental plants, and collectible “artifacts.” They have contributed to the extinction of various species, including plants, birds, reptiles, and fish, both locally and globally.
A significant portion of this illegal trade is linked to organized crime syndicates. The report highlights that corruption plays a critical role in undermining efforts to curb wildlife trafficking—ranging from bribes paid to inspectors to government officials issuing fraudulent permits. The report calls for stronger enforcement of legislation and anti-corruption laws to combat this growing crisis.
13,000,000
A total of 13 million items (animals, plants, or their parts) weighing over 16,000 tons were seized over the seven-year period between 2015 and 2021. However, the actual scale of wildlife trafficking is significantly larger than the recorded seizures.
Animal parts such as organs and bones from pangolins, seahorses, and tigers are often dried and used in traditional medicine, particularly in China. Meanwhile, parrots, iguanas, and baby crocodiles are commonly sold as exotic pets, while rare orchids are traded as ornamental plants.
seized 245 pangolins at Don Mueang Airport in Thailand
140,000
Researchers analyzed over 140,000 wildlife trafficking seizures that took place between 2015 and 2021.
4,000
More than 4,000 species of plants and animals are targeted by wildlife traffickers. Among all confiscated mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, 40% were listed on the Red List of threatened or near-threatened species.
Wildlife Crimes: A Global Threat
Crimes committed against wildlife inflict immeasurable harm on nature, while also threatening livelihoods, public health, good governance, and our planet’s ability to combat climate change. To tackle this crisis, we must match the adaptability and resilience of illegal trade. This requires strong and targeted interventions on both the supply and demand sides of the illegal trafficking chain, efforts to reduce criminal incentives and profits, and greater investment in data collection, analysis, and monitoring capabilities.
Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
10,000
It is estimated that more than 10,000 bears are currently suffering in Chinese “bile farms,” along with over 400 bears in Vietnam. The commercial farming of bears began in China in the 1980s, following a cruel system designed to extract bile from the gallbladders of live bears for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Bears are kept in cages so small that they often cannot turn around or stand up. Some are captured as cubs and remain confined for their entire lives, which can last up to 30 years. This practice remains legal in China, where around 100 large farms harvest bear bile—some housing over 2,000 bears. Most of these farms are owned by pharmaceutical companies.
10,000
It is estimated that more than 10,000 bears are currently suffering in Chinese “bile farms,” along with over 400 bears in Vietnam. The commercial farming of bears began in China in the 1980s, following a cruel system designed to extract bile from the gallbladders of live bears for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Bears are kept in cages so small that they often cannot turn around or stand up. Some are captured as cubs and remain confined for their entire lives, which can last up to 30 years. This practice remains legal in China, where around 100 large farms harvest bear bile—some housing over 2,000 bears. Most of these farms are owned by pharmaceutical companies.
extract bile from the gallbladders of caged living bears to be used in
traditional Chinese medicine.
86,000,000
Approximately 86 million sharks are caught annually worldwide, with 80% of this fishing driven by the fin trade. Due to overfishing, more than 300 species of sharks and rays have been listed on the IUCN Red List as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.
Once sharks are caught, their fins are cut off, and the rest of the body is discarded, usually leaving the shark to die. Shark fins are in high demand, particularly for traditional Chinese medicine and shark fin soup, which is considered a delicacy in parts of East Asia.
practice where sharks are
caught and their fins are
sliced off, then the body
of the shark is discarded,
alive or dead. Shark fins are
particularly sought after for
traditional Chinese medicine
and shark fin soup which is
considered a delicacy in Asia.
$23,000,000,000
Some estimates suggest that the illegal wildlife trade is worth $23 billion annually, involving the trafficking of over 100 million plants and animals each year
result of habitat destruction and collection from natural habitats
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Al-Hima-Magazine-Issue-No.-4
