The Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums has launched a regional campaign warning that illegal wildlife trafficking is increasingly shifting to social media and e-commerce, complicating detection and enforcement. The illicit trade generates an estimated $7–$10 billion annually, rising to about $20 billion when illegal fishing and logging are included. The group highlighted links to organized crime, extremely high mortality during transport (9 in 10 animals), and population declines of up to 71% in some species. Campaign materials are available in Spanish, English and Portuguese and aim to mobilize the public and authorities.
Latin American Zoos Sound Alarm: Illegal Wildlife Trade Is Moving Online
The Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums warned the region's illegal wildlife trade is increasingly shifting to social media. File Photo by Attila Kovacs/EPA
The Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums this week launched a regional campaign to combat illegal wildlife trafficking, warning that the illicit trade is increasingly migrating to e-commerce sites and social media platforms where it is harder to detect and police.
Rising Online Threats and Organized Crime Links
The campaign, timed to coincide with the International Day Against Illegal Wildlife Trafficking, aims to raise public and institutional awareness about how the crime is evolving. According to the association and Noticias Telerama, illegal wildlife trafficking generates an estimated $7–$10 billion a year; that figure rises to roughly $20 billion when illegal fishing and logging are included. The group cautioned that wildlife trafficking is often connected to organized criminal networks involved in drug and arms trafficking, human trafficking and money laundering.
Severe Animal Suffering and Population Impacts
The association estimates that nine out of every 10 animals captured in the wild die during transport to illegal markets. Pressure from the illicit trade has contributed to population declines of up to 71% in some vulnerable species. In Latin America, reptiles and birds—primarily sought as exotic pets—are among the most trafficked groups. Reports suggest thefts of parrot eggs (including parrots and macaws) total between 400,000 and 800,000 eggs per year, and demand for big-cat parts, particularly jaguar fangs, is rising.
“Every rescued animal represents a story of violent extraction, but also an opportunity to transform millions of visitors into active allies against this crime,” said Alexandra Guerra Ramírez, executive director of the Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Zoos’ Role And Regional Efforts
The association says its accredited zoos and aquariums have welcomed roughly 150 million visitors over the past seven years and operate rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction programs for confiscated animals. They also provide technical training to environmental authorities and police forces. The new awareness campaign was rolled out across media outlets, digital platforms and institutional channels throughout Latin America, with materials available in Spanish, English and Portuguese.
The launch coincides with expanding government efforts in the region to curb wildlife crime. For example, Guatemala recently launched a national campaign, "Let Me Live, Don't Kill Me," led by the National Council of Protected Areas to reduce poaching through education, public participation and enforcement of existing penalties. Guatemalan authorities emphasize that poaching and wildlife trafficking threaten biodiversity, disrupt critical ecological functions and affect forests, water supplies and food security.
What This Means For The Public
Authorities and conservationists say reducing demand, improving online monitoring, strengthening law enforcement and fostering regional cooperation are critical to tackling the problem. The campaign seeks to mobilize the public—visitors, online marketplaces and social-media platforms—to report suspicious activity and support conservation and rescue efforts.
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