Scrolling to Extinction: How is Social Media Influencing the Illegal Wildlife Trade?

Introduction

The illegal wildlife trade is a multi-billion-dollar global industry that includes the poaching and trafficking of animals and their body parts. It is one of the major threats to endangered species and is a significant driver of biodiversity loss. The illegal wildlife trade is fuelled by demand from markets across the world, especially in Asia, where the body parts of animals are used for traditional medicine, luxury goods, and even as exotic pets.

In recent years, social media sites like Facebook have been at the forefront of the rise in the illegal trafficking of threatened flora and fauna. Finding animals such as cheetahs, monkeys, lion cubs and elephant tusks for sale is just a few clicks away. Although retaining their anonymity, wildlife traffickers advertise their products for sale in public forums and include their phone numbers in their posts. Thousands of posts can be found using simple search terms.

Anonymity and accessibility are the two most significant advantages of social media. Wildlife traffickers have unparalleled access to a global market through social media, which also provides them with payment methods. Moreover, social media has made it easier for traffickers to build relationships with buyers, using the platform to share information and build trust. This means that traffickers can develop long-term relationships with buyers, making it easier to sell larger quantities of animal parts over time.

Together with Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram are also gaining notoriety for facilitating IWT. Despite Covid-19 restrictions during the lockdown and the risk of animal-to-human disease transmission, illegal wildlife trade on social media networks is still thriving. There is no conclusive evidence, according to research published in the journal of Environmental Research, that the pandemic discouraged or reduced internet commerce in animals.

How is social media used for the illegal wildlife trade?

Wildlife trafﬁckers post an image of animals for sale on social media such as big cats, reptiles, birds, primates, insects, and products made from endangered species like elephant ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales, and marine turtle shells.
Potential buyers can DM the trafficker or “like” the photograph.
Traffickers may invite the buyer to a private chat or in most cases the trade is conducted in broad daylight.
Payments can be made using the platform or another system. The item is shipped offline.

How it affects the exotic animal trade market?

The illegal wildlife trade continues to be a significant industry, despite the fact that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) strictly regulates the exotic animal trade. Wild animal trafficking is ranked fourth among illicit global trades, after the trades in drugs and weapons, according to some estimates. Regrettably, social media is heavily used to facilitate the illicit animal trade. The public’s access to unrestricted exotic animal content on social media contributes to the rising demand for these species.

However, prior research indicates that informing the public about the risk of infectious diseases and the legal repercussions of the exotic animal trade is essential in swaying public opinion. This is in addition to educating the public about the conservation and welfare concerns associated with the trade in exotic animals. However, YouTube should also tighten its regulations on content featuring exotic animals and generally refer any flagged content for additional review, taking down any videos featuring illegal free-handling situations as opposed to those featuring exotic animals in the wild.

What is being done to limit the use of social media for the illegal wildlife trade?

According to Facebook’s policies, it is forbidden to promote or solicit the purchase of endangered species or their parts. Trading in the species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is specifically prohibited by the company. Facebook has responded previously stating that they do not permit the sale of animals on Facebook or Instagram and they restrict content attempting to trade endangered animals.

They also work with law organisations all over the world to combat the illegal wildlife trade. Facebook does have several noteworthy success stories. Between January and May 2021, the US-based company worked with TRAFFIC, a biodiversity conservation organisation, in Indonesia and the Philippines to remove more than 1,900 organisations involved in the trafficking of illegal wildlife items from its platform. Even the strongest law enforcement, however, finds it impossible to fully investigate even a tiny percentage of postings due to the overwhelming number of listings, ads, and organisations.

A further fundamental aspect that makes it more difficult to discern between legal and illicit is the fact that many sales happen online rather than in person. Because objects for sale online are rarely physically inspected, vendors may misrepresent products, use hazy images, or label them as “antique” or “pre-ban” to escape legal repercussions. Along with increased international law enforcement collaboration, there has to be more coordination between law enforcement authorities and tech companies.

Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online

As a result, in 2019, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC) are working together with businesses from around the world as part of the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online to minimise wildlife trafficking online. Nonetheless, more work has to be done. Monitoring is necessary to improve our knowledge of the illegal wildlife trafficking markets and to support more effective trade enforcement. To estimate the flow of trafficking species, more research on the other components of illegal wildlife trade should be conducted. This research would combine with ongoing attempts to monitor internet trading, offering a real-time picture of the trades.

In order to advance the subject of IWT demand reduction, social science researchers and IWT practitioners are required to comprehend the attitudes and behaviours of the buyers and sellers interacting with such sites.

Conclusion

Social media platforms have played a significant role in the illegal wildlife trade, making it easier for poachers and traders to find potential buyers and evade detection. The illegal trade of wildlife is a global problem that requires a multifaceted approach. Governments need to enforce existing laws and regulations, law enforcement agencies and social media platforms need to collaborate to identify and stop the trade, and education and awareness campaigns can help people understand the importance of protecting endangered species. By working together, we can combat the illegal wildlife trade and protect the planet’s biodiversity.

Help us Help Them! Think Wildlife Foundation is a non profit organization with various conservation initiatives. Our most prominent campaign is our Caring for Pari intiative. Pari is a rehabilitated elephant at the Wildlife SoS Hospital. 25% of the profits from our store are donated to the elephant hospital for Pari. Other than buying our wonderful merchandise, you could donate directly to our Caring For Pari fundraiser.

Written by: Sonal Chaudary