New technologies are intensifying the global fight against wildlife trafficking

In late 2025, INTERPOL coordinated a global operation across 134 countries, Nearly 30,000 live animals were seizedThe confiscation of illegal plant products and timber, and the identification of approximately 1,100 suspected wildlife traffickers for investigation by the National Police.

Wildlife trafficking is one of Most profitable illicit industries All over the world. It’s networks Between 7 billion and 23 billion dollars annuallyAccording to the Global Environment Facility, a group of about 200 countries as well as companies and non-profit organizations that finance projects to improve and protect the environment.

People buy and sell a wide range of items, including live animals, plant powders, oils, ivory carvings, and musical instruments.

Historically, implementation has been largely reactive. There is a lot of global trade Less than 1 in 10 international cargo shipments Of any kind are physically examined. Traffickers also avoid detection By using false or generic names instead of correctly identifying types, using cryptic language in online listings, rerouting shipments, and switching to different messaging platforms when fulfillment pressures increase. Emerging digital tools help authorities link online surveillance, legal reference tools, and field investigations.

like Researcher While working at the University of Florida at the intersection of conservation science and applied technology, I observed these developments firsthand at an international meeting of governments and partner organizations under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Floraoften known by the abbreviation CITES. This treaty – which represents the cornerstone of international regulation of trade in endangered plants and animals – is enforced by national customs and wildlife agencies.

Artificial intelligence and digital tools for inspection

The big challenge for officials seeking to prevent wildlife trafficking is knowing where to look — and then knowing what they find.

Cargo inspection: Advanced X-ray scanners, similar to those used in airport security but designed for shipping, are now being paired with software to help Discovering unusual shapes or materials inside the packages.

Trials have been conducted at major ports and mail processing centers in Australia Detecting animals hidden in various types of shipments. The program does not identify types but highlights anomalies, helping inspectors determine which packages deserve closer inspection.

Determine help: It uses a computer program supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences Artificial intelligence to help identify animal species Or animal parts contained in shipments. Inspectors can use chatbot-style interfaces to describe what they have found to a system trained on technical documents with detailed descriptions of a wide range of types.

This type of work can help inspectors distinguish between closely related species whose legal protections differ. For example, the trade in African gray parrots (Psittacus erythacus) are strictly regulated. There are different, often less stringent protections for similar species, such as the Timnah parrot (Timna parrot(and the brown-necked parrot)Buecephalus fusiculis).

Mobile DNA Test: Implementation efforts do not always take place in offices and laboratories. One company aims to provide Small handheld kits It can detect up to five species in about 20 or 30 minutes Without the need for traditional laboratory equipment. These kits display their results on a simple strip that changes color when DNA of a particular species appears in the sample. In theory, it is It’s like a pregnancy testWhich changes color when the hormone is detected.

Identification of timber: Portable scanners use software To quickly identify wood species by examining the internal cellular structure of the wood. This can help distinguish between protected hardwoods and legal alternatives in areas where illegal logging is widespread, such as South America, Southeast Asia and Africa.

Basic research and risk characterization

Even before wildlife-related items appear at national borders, there can be signs of illegal trade that technology can help identify.

Online commerce monitoring: Large amounts of wildlife trafficking now take place through online transactions. To avoid detection, sellers often use Vague descriptions or coded languagesuch as listings that omit species names entirely or use emojis instead of words. Others hide key details in pictures or brief text that doesn’t say much about what’s being sold, even just showing a picture without a description.

Anti-human trafficking organizations, such as the World Wildlife Fund, are partnering with technology companies to scan online listings using artificial intelligence and content moderation tools. Between 2018 and 2023, tech companies blocked or removed them Over 23 million listings and accounts relating to protected speciesincluding live reptiles, birds, primates and elephant products.

Early warnings from paperwork: Shipping documents often provide early warning signs of illicit trade. Wildlife enforcement, transportation, government tax officials and others are using new software tools to do just that Analyze millions of data and permitsSearching for species names that are not usually traded on certain routes; Heavy or unusually low priced shipments; and complex routing across multiple transit countries. Instead of randomly screening shipments, these systems help law enforcement agencies identify shipments most likely to contain illegal substances.

Navigating wildlife trade laws: Law enforcement officers must navigate Extensive legal complexity. New tools seeking Compilation of laws from multiple countriesTo help inspectors understand cross regulations Export, transit and destination countries.

Use business data to identify other types to monitor: Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a method that uses wildlife trade records to determine their identity Thousands of species are threatened with extinction Which could benefit from stricter international trade protections and stronger law enforcement to reduce exploitation.

Together, these devices and systems extend human experience, but do not replace it. It helps officers identify shipments or locations to focus on, pinpoint what they find, and share information internationally. No technology alone will be able to end wildlife trafficking, but these digital tools can enable a shift from reactive enforcement to proactive and coordinated action, helping authorities keep pace with adaptive criminal networks.