These digital tools are stepping up the global fight against wildlife trafficking

"In late 2025, Interpol coordinated a global operation across 134 nations, seizing roughly 30,000 live animals, confiscating illegal plant and timber products, and identifying about 1,100 suspected wildlife traffickers for national police to investigate. Wildlife trafficking is one of the most lucrative illicit industries worldwide. It nets between US$7 billion and $23 billion per year, according to the Global Environment Facility, a group of nearly 200 nations as well as businesses and nonprofits that fund environmental improvement and protection projects."

"Historically, enforcement has been largely reactive. There is so much global trade that fewer than 1 in 10 international cargo shipments of any kind are physically inspected. Traffickers also avoid detection by using false or generic names instead of proper species identification, employing coded language in online listings, rerouting shipments, and shifting to different messaging platforms when enforcement pressure increases. Emerging digital tools are helping authorities link online monitoring, legal reference tools, and on-the-ground investigations."

Global wildlife trafficking spans live animals, plant products, ivory and other goods and generates between US$7 billion and $23 billion annually. Recent Interpol coordination across 134 nations resulted in seizures of roughly 30,000 live animals, illegal plant and timber products, and identification of about 1,100 suspected traffickers. Enforcement has been largely reactive and limited by low inspection rates—fewer than one in ten international cargo shipments are physically inspected. Traffickers use false or generic names, coded online language, rerouting of shipments, and platform shifts to evade detection. CITES regulates international trade and national customs and wildlife agencies enforce its rules. Emerging digital and AI-enabled tools are being applied to link online monitoring, legal references, and field investigations to improve detection and enforcement.

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