EU remains major hub for global trafficking of wild species, latest data shows

Key Findings:

• Scale of Seizures: Nearly 5,200 seizure records were reported in 2023, involving over one million specimens (including over 600 000 live animals and 10 000 live plants). ​ Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Spain accounted for nearly 75% of all EU seizure records. ​This total number of seizure records has risen from approx 4,550 a year earlier, but is lower than the 2019 high of 6,150.

(While not indicative of the complete picture of illicit activities – reported seizure data does provide valuable insight into illegal wildlife trade patterns, allowing authorities to monitor trends and tailor interventions to address priority risks.)

• Top Commodities: European eels dominated seizures by specimen count, while timber ranked highest by total mass, with over 33,000 cubic meters seized. Other frequently seized items included plant-derived medicinals, live birds, reptiles, and coral.

​28% of all fauna seizure records were assumed to be destined for the exotic pet trade, one of the largest illegal wildlife trade sectors in the EU.

• Emerging Trends: 88 species were seized for the first time in 2023, including visually striking poison frogs and look-alike tarantula species. ​ Birds represented the group with the highest number of species seized, with 196 distinct species recorded. ​
• Global Trade Routes: The EU remains a major hub for wildlife trafficking, with 86% of seized goods destined for the EU. The USA and UK were frequent destinations for commodities destined for a country beyond the EU. Top exporters included Thailand, the USA, Ukraine, mainland China, and India.

Enforcement Highlights:

• Operation Spotlight: EU Member States participated in global enforcement actions such as Operation THUNDER, which resulted in over 2,000 confiscations and 500 arrests worldwide.
• Internal Seizures: 709 internal (domestic) seizures were reported, with live birds and reptiles being the most frequently intercepted commodities.
• Detection Points: Airports and mail centres were the primary locations for seizures, while maritime ports emerged as key detection points for high-mass shipments like timber. ​