New Technologies Strengthen Global Crackdown on Wildlife Trafficking

Globally, new digital tools and technologies are helping authorities detect illegal wildlife trade more effectively, strengthening enforcement and protecting endangered species.

“These devices extend human expertise and enable more proactive, coordinated action against wildlife trafficking,” said Eve Bohnett, conservation technology researcher.

An international operation across 134 nations seized about 30,000 live animals and identified roughly 1,100 suspected traffickers. At the same time, tools such as AI cargo screening, portable DNA tests, online monitoring and trade data analysis have helped remove more than 23 million illegal wildlife listings and improve detection across borders, supporting efforts to disrupt a trade worth up to $23 billion annually.