Global Threats in the Illegal Wildlife Trade and Advances in Response

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for your interest in this Special Issue on “Global Threats in the Illegal Wildlife Trade and Advances in Response”. As defined by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the illegal wildlife trade includes the smuggling, poaching, capture, or collection of endangered species, protected wildlife, and derivatives or products thereof. Wildlife trafficking affects thousands of species of flora and fauna worldwide and drives environmental degradation, climate change, and public health risks; it is estimated to be the fourth most profitable transnational crime. 

As illegal wildlife trade actors target lucrative new markets and innovate to evade existing enforcement interventions whilst taking advantage of climate-induced resource scarcity, enforcement agencies, justice actors, academics, and researchers around the world are making corresponding advances. Developments within the field include new investigation and prosecution techniques, detection tools, and technology, as well as legal mechanisms and regulatory frameworks to counter this crime. 

The aim of this Special Issue is to explore contemporary global threats in the illegal wildlife trade and examine the innovative advances designed to combat them. The scope of submissions is therefore broad. However, amongst other themes within the wider sphere of green criminology and environmental justice, we are keen to receive submissions which consider novel threats linked to cyber-enabled illegal wildlife trade, species trends, convergence, legal trade, illicit finance, and climate change. We are also excited to explore advances in societal responses, including formal and informal controls, organizational capacity building, the use of technology, and the development of robust, effective, and human-centered conservation initiatives, such as demand reduction. Through this, we hope to contribute to the growing body of literature which aims to protect our biodiversity.  

As part of this Special Issue, we are eager to receive submissions from academics, conservationists, and practitioners engaged in combating the illegal wildlife trade. If you are a practitioner interested in contributing and would like to discuss the possibility of pairing with an academic, please do not hesitate to contact one of the Guest Editors for this Special Issue. 

Dr. Nicholas Pamment
Guest Editor

Anne-Marie Weeden
Guest Editor Assistant

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