Hacking the Illegal Trade in Wildlife

摘要

All around the world, forests and other ecosystems are falling silent, their wildlife populations decimated by illegal hunting and wildlife trading. The internet is a central part of this killing ground, with much of the illegal trade happening online. The trade in illegal wildlife and wildlife parts is estimated to be worth more than $23 billion per year, making it one of the most profitable criminal enterprises in the world. This trade involves far more than elephant tusks and rhino horns. It also impacts thousands of other species including big cats, hornbills, orangutans, gorillas, songbirds, sharks, lizards, frogs, and rare plants such as orchids.