More than 4,000 species are targeted by trafficking, with illegal trade active in 80% of countries
More than 4,000 species around the world are being targeted by wildlife traffickers, causing “untold harm upon nature”, a UN report has warned.
Wildlife crime is driven by demand for medicine, pets, bushmeat, ornamental plants and trophies. Out of all the mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians seized, 40% are on the red list of threatened or near-threatened species, the report found.