Contemporary Patterns

Abstract

Wildlife trafficking is not isolated to the remote regions of the planet or specific to the areas with high biodiversity or a high number of endemic species. It is a ubiquitous activity that either through supply, transfer or demand affects most nations of the globe. This chapter will map these patterns of smuggling as well as give estimates as to the extent of wildlife trafficking that is taking place in the different regions. This chapter will also develop the reasons for the demand for wildlife and wildlife products. The demand is broken down into four categories: processed commodities, collector’s items, traditional medicines and food (Wyatt 2012b). For each of these categories, the parameters, which make them distinctive, will be given and the global smuggling patterns for that category detailed. The chapter will then break down the supply side dynamics of wildlife trafficking. Whilst most previous efforts to curb wildlife trafficking have focused on the supply, this chapter makes a case for combating this crime predominantly from the demand end, but also taking into account aspects of the supply side, which can be altered.