How Poaching and Wildlife Trafficking Works

Poaching and wildlife trafficking are intertwined illegal activities that pose significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Poaching involves the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, often for their body parts or products, such as ivory, fur, or exotic pets. These animals are frequently targeted for their commercial value, with high-demand species commanding substantial prices on the black market. Wildlife trafficking, on the other hand, involves the transportation and trade of illegally obtained wildlife, including both live animals and their body parts. Traffickers often use complex networks and routes to smuggle these products across borders, often involving multiple countries and intermediaries. The illegal trade in wildlife not only fuels the demand for endangered species but also contributes to habitat destruction, the disruption of ecological balance, and the spread of zoonotic diseases.