New technologies are stepping up the global fight against wildlife trafficking

Emerging digital tools can help authorities prioritize inspections and rapidly identify illicit goods by linking online monitoring, legal references and on-the-ground investigations.

By: Eve Bohnett, University of Florida, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 6, 2026

Words: 1,091

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

Body Text Preview

By Eve Bohnett, University of Florida

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 …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

Email Us