Illegal wildlife trade

Illegal wildlife trade includes the commerce in non-domesticated animals or plants, either living or dead, or their body parts, traded in contravention to local and international laws and agreements.

Illegal wildlife trade threatens species and ecosystems and undermines our global biodiversity goals. Often, these crimes converge with other forms of serious organised crime.

Detection and disruption

The Nature Crime Alliance is convening actors from a range of sectors who are working to combat illegal wildlife trade – including law enforcement, NGOs, and investigative media – to build greater collaboration. This includes focusing on strategic priority areas such as supply chains, tools and technology for detection, and legal frameworks.  

These activities include working with Alliance members to create new resources, including a Wildlife Expert Directory which connects law enforcement actors with topical experts who can support wildlife crime investigations.