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Revealed: the criminals making millions from illegal wildlife trafficking | Illegal wildlife trade | The Guardian

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Exclusive: Investigation uncovers the ringleaders profiting from $23bn annual trade in illicit animals after more than a decade of undercover surveillance A major investigation into global wildlife crime today names for the first time key traffickers and links their illegal trade to corrupt officials at the highest levels of one Asian country. The investigation, published by the Guardian, exposes the central role of international organised crime groups in mutilating and killing tens of thousands of animals and threatening to eliminate endangered species including tigers, elephants and rhinos. The in-depth reporting identifies suspected traders across several continents, from South Africa to Thailand and in the markets of China, where animal parts are used in traditional medicines. For the past year, the Guardian has worked with independent investigators at Freeland, an anti-trafficking organisation that has been providing information and analytical support to a Thai government surveill

A ranger looks on after performing a post-mortem on a rhino killed for its horn in South Africa’s Kruger national park. Photograph: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters View image in fullscreen A ranger looks on after performing a post-mortem on a rhino killed for its horn in South Africa’s Kruger national park. Photograph: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters Illegal wildlife trade This article is more than 9 years old Revealed: the criminals making millions from illegal wildlife trafficking This article is more than 9 years old Exclusive: Investigation uncovers the ringleaders profiting from $23bn annual trade in illic

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