Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is increasingly taking place online, with social media and e-commerce platforms being used to facilitate the sale of endangered species. Data collected from May to July 2024 reveals that 477 online advertisements were detected for 18 protected species across Brazil and South Africa. Shockingly, 78% of these ads were posted on platforms like Facebook, making social media a major player in the online wildlife trade.

The African Grey Parrot and Pirarucu fish are among the most trafficked species, with their populations already under severe threat due to illegal exploitation. This report also highlights a disturbing connection between the illegal trade of Pirarucu in Brazil and the cocaine trade, illustrating the complex intersection of environmental crime with broader transnational organized crime networks.

In South Africa, the demand for animal parts used in traditional African medicine plays a significant role in fueling the illegal wildlife trade. From bones to live animals, these products are openly advertised online, raising serious concerns about the sustainability of wildlife populations and the need for more robust regulatory oversight.

Our latest Global Trend Report report calls for enhanced law enforcement efforts, international cooperation, and stricter regulations for online platforms to effectively combat IWT. It provides key insights into the dynamics of illegal wildlife trade and offers solutions to protect vulnerable species and ecosystems from further degradation.

ECO-SOLVE leads the charge against environmental crime with its global, collaborative, data-driven approach. Our mission: transform data insights into impactful action; support law enforcement to disrupt illicit flows; empower communities; shape effective global policies. ECO-SOLVE is an EU-funded project within the Global Illicit Flows Programme.

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