The illegal trade in wlidlife wot its modern tools significantly impacts the natural functioning of ecosystems and is responsible for silent forests. The issue is one of ethics, the environment, animal welfare, public health, indigneous rights, governance and organised crime.
It’s a massive subject and is connected to us right at our doorstep.
One aspect is the occurence of the illegal sale of animals online. ACRES’ 2023 report on the iliegal wildlife trade on Telegram is troubling:
“NParks has nabbed some sellers on Telegram, however our investigation surveys in 2021 and 2023 have reveal a disturbing 196% increase in prohibited wild animals offered and a 586% rise in individual sellers. In just 122 days, 993 prohibited wild animals were being advertised for sale on three Telegram chats – that’s 8 prohibited wild animals a day, just on three chats!”
From the report, a comparison of activity between 2021 and 2023:
The report is helpful in providing an idea of local activity, the limits of self-regulation by online portals, local laws which could help address this and examples of international policy and legilslation – all useful basic information for educators. Read the full report and its reccomendations here
See also “Illegal wildlife trade detected on Telegram doubled from 2021 to 2023: ACRES” by Ang Qing at The Straits Times (31 Dec 2023).
Otterman speaks... 