Native to Madagascar, these tortoises are known for their star-patterned shells and are heavily trafficked for the exotic pet trade, endangering their wild populations.
Wildlife trafficking threatens global biodiversity, pushing species toward extinction for profit and greed. Here are 10 of the most trafficked animals worldwide.
Found in Central and South America, these vividly coloured parrots are targeted by the exotic pet trade, leading to steep declines in their natural populations.
Small bears like the sun bear, native to Southeast Asia, are trafficked for their bile used in traditional medicine, threatening their survival in the wild.
Valued for their medicinal properties, sea cucumbers are harvested from coastal and deep-sea waters. Overexploitation has caused significant population declines globally.
Native to Southeast Asia, this bird is hunted for its solid keratin casque, used as a substitute for ivory in carvings—placing the species at severe risk.
Critically endangered, these sea turtles are hunted for their beautifully patterned shells, which are turned into jewellery and ornaments.
The world’s largest cats are poached for their fur, bones, and body parts used in medicine and as status symbols. They inhabit forests across South and Southeast Asia.