The last decade and a half have seen a sharp expansion in the online illegal wildlife trade (IWT). However, a dearth of data regarding the scale of the market, its dynamics, operations and ramifications, especially on a global scale, is a significant hindrance to combating this crime.

To address this, ECO-SOLVE has developed a Global Monitoring System (GMS) to monitor global online IWT systematically and to gather data to feed into law enforcement activity and to inform policymaking. The GMS is a network of data hubs in countries whose domestic online markets considered largest or most consequential in their regions. National monitoring nodes are being set up in a staggered process and the size and scope of the network will grow with each edition of the Global Trend Report.

The GMS is a distributed monitoring network made up of country and regional data hubs. Each hub monitors a priority species basket and platform shortlist tailored to its own context, while contributing to a wider picture of how the online wildlife trade adapts across regions, languages and market types through a shared global basket. Hubs combine manual monitoring, local language knowledge and AI-enabled discovery tools to record advertisements involving protected live animals, parts, derivatives and related products.

This sixth Global Trend Report follows the logic of previous reports in the series: it begins with a structured trends section based on GMS monitoring data from April 2024 to April 2026, develops thematic sections that explain emerging markets, legal ambiguities, deception patterns and enforcement risks.

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 EU Global Threats Programme.

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