Researching illicit wildlife trade enforcement worldwide

Image credit: Wildlife Justice Commission

Situation

Illicit wildlife trade is estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of pounds annually when accounting for trafficked mammals, fish, timber and other species. A growing body of research demonstrates strong links between wildlife trafficking and organised crime networks involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking and other serious transnational crimes. At the same time, biodiversity loss is accelerating rapidly. Despite the severity of this crisis, governments continue to underinvest in combating wildlife crime and often treat it as a low priority issue. Much of the illicit trade originates in Global South countries where weak rule of law, corruption and limited enforcement capacity undermine effective responses. However, the wildlife trade is ultimately a global issue, as illegal purchases and associated money-laundering also involve many countries in the Global North.

ILP’s Action

ILP supported the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) in strengthening accountability for wildlife trafficking crimes. ILP coordinated a comprehensive review of sentencing regimes in 19 countries most affected by the illegal rhino horn trade. The analysis examined domestic legislation, case outcomes and sentencing practices against the international legal standards set out in the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), identifying key strengths and weaknesses in national legal frameworks and enforcement approaches.

At the same time, and with extensive pro bono support from lawyers across Asia, Africa and Europe, ILP partnered with TRAFFIC, a leading wildlife monitoring organisation, to develop the Wildlife Trade Anti-Corruption Index. Drawing on more than 40 indicators, the Index measures both the presence and enforcement of anti-corruption measures in wildlife trade, providing a compendium of best practices to guide institutional reform and strengthen wildlife trade governance. It represents the first global tool specifically designed to assess and promote anti-corruption performance within wildlife trade systems.

Impact

In September 2025, WJC published its report incorporating ILP’s legal analysis, highlighting significant disparities in sentencing across jurisdictions and identifying gaps in the implementation of the UNTOC obligations. Findings were taken up in the recommendations of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime expert group in crimes that affect the environment, and also informed WJC’s advocacy efforts at the UNTOC, which helped shape an evidence-based dialogue on the need for stronger and more coherent international legal responses to wildlife trafficking and other environmental crimes.

The Wildlife Trade Anti-Corruption Index is now undergoing a final review before its deployment, so it can serve as a central accountability and monitoring tool - supporting governments, civil society and international institutions in tracking progress and fulfilling their commitments to combat corruption in the wildlife trade.