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Tiger Trafficking Evolves: New Threats Emerge
20 Sep
Summary
- 2,551 tiger seizures logged, involving over 3,808 tigers.
- Whole animal and derivative seizures are increasingly prominent.
- Digital platforms now facilitate wildlife crime transactions.
A comprehensive analysis of 25 years of data by TRAFFIC reveals a significant shift in tiger trafficking patterns. By June 2025, over 2,551 seizures involving at least 3,808 tigers were recorded globally. While skins and bones remain targets, the trade in whole tigers, both alive and dead, alongside a broader array of derivatives, has grown substantially.
This evolution in crime includes a diversification of commodities, with tiger parts often appearing alongside other high-value wildlife like leopards and pangolins. Furthermore, criminal networks are increasingly leveraging digital platforms for communication, advertising, and transactions, enabling smarter, more sophisticated operations.
The study emphasizes that tiger conservation must adapt to these changing dynamics. The traditional focus on protected area boundaries is insufficient as tigers' ecological spaces expand into landscapes with heightened human-tiger interface and less monitored corridors.
Effective protection now demands an intelligence-led, landscape-scale approach. This involves collaboration across various sectors, including law enforcement, local communities, and financial crime experts, to anticipate and disrupt trafficking networks before illegal activities occur.
