How to report online portals selling illegal wildlife products?

The illegal wildlife trade is a multi-billion-dollar industry that thrives through both physical and online marketplaces. E-commerce platforms have unfortunately become a popular avenue for selling illegal wildlife products such as animal skins, ivory, rhino horns, and other body parts from endangered species. This trade not only threatens biodiversity but also fuels organized crime. It’s important for consumers to know how to identify and report these illegal activities to help combat wildlife trafficking and ensure the protection of vulnerable species.

Steps to Report Online Portals Selling Illegal Wildlife Products

• Identify the Illegal Product

• Familiarize yourself with the types of wildlife products that are illegal to buy or sell. This includes items from protected species such as elephant ivory, rhino horns, tiger pelts, and exotic animal skins. Many countries are signatories to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which lists protected species.

• Collect Evidence

• Before making a complaint, collect all relevant information about the product, the seller, and the transaction. This includes:
• Screenshots of the product listing.
• The website or platform where the sale is taking place.
• Product descriptions, prices, and contact details of the seller.
• Any communication you may have had with the seller (if applicable).

• Report to the E-commerce Platform

• Most major online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, Flipkart, or Etsy have reporting mechanisms to flag illegal or prohibited listings. You can usually find an option to report the item as illegal, counterfeit, or violating platform policies.
• Amazon: Use the Report Infringement tool.
• eBay: Use their VeRO (Verified Rights Owner) Program to report illegal items.
• Etsy: Use the Report this listing option found under the product’s details.

• Report to Wildlife Conservation Authorities

• In many countries, wildlife conservation authorities are responsible for enforcing laws against wildlife trafficking. For example:
• In India, you can report to the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) or file a report with Forest and Environment Departments in your state.
• In the USA, report to the Fish and Wildlife Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries.
• In the UK, report to UK Border Force or National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU).
• INTERPOL also facilitates international cooperation to fight wildlife crime, so you can contact them for cross-border incidents.

• Report to CITES Authorities

• CITES is the international agreement between governments to ensure that the international trade of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. You can report illegal wildlife products to your country’s CITES Management Authority. This authority works in collaboration with national law enforcement to investigate violations of CITES regulations.

• Report to Environmental NGOs

• Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focus on environmental protection and combating illegal wildlife trade. You can report the incident to groups such as:
• WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)
• TRAFFIC (a leading organization in the global trade of wildlife and wildlife products)
• Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI)
• The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
• These organizations often have online reporting tools and can help escalate the case.

• File a Report with Cybercrime Units

• Since wildlife trafficking is often done via online platforms, reporting it as a cybercrime is essential. In many countries, cybercrime units have special departments for handling online fraud, including illegal trading of wildlife products.
• In India, report such crimes via cybercrime.gov.in.
• In the USA, use the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
• In the UK, report to Action Fraud.

• Contact the Local Law Enforcement

• If the illegal transaction involves a larger amount or multiple products, consider contacting your local law enforcement or environmental police. In many countries, specialized wildlife crime units are available to track and prosecute offenders.

Common Types of Illegal Wildlife Products Sold Online

• Elephant Ivory

• One of the most trafficked wildlife products, elephant ivory is highly sought after for its value in the black market.

• Rhino Horns

• Rhino horns are often sold as status symbols or believed to have medicinal properties, despite no scientific evidence to support this.

• Exotic Animal Skins

• Animal skins from tigers, leopards, and snakes are often sold as luxury fashion items or souvenirs.

• Taxidermy and Body Parts

• Some sellers offer preserved or stuffed animals, such as lions, tigers, and monkeys, for decorative purposes.

• Exotic Birds and Reptiles

• Many species of birds and reptiles are trafficked illegally for the exotic pet trade.

Consumer Protection and Safety Tips

• Know the Laws in Your Country

• Research the wildlife protection laws in your country to understand which species are protected and the penalties for trafficking them.

• Check for Secure Payment Methods

• Never use unsecured payment methods (such as bank transfers or money orders) to purchase wildlife products. Scammers often use untraceable methods to avoid being caught.

• Report Suspicious Products Immediately

• If you come across suspicious wildlife-related products, report them immediately to authorities or e-commerce platforms to prevent the sale from proceeding.

• Educate Yourself and Others

• Educate your friends and family about the importance of protecting wildlife and the dangers of purchasing illegal wildlife products. Share information on social media and encourage others to report such crimes.

Example

Scenario:

You find an online listing for a genuine tiger pelt on an e-commerce website. The listing includes detailed images, and the seller claims the item is authentic and sourced legally.

Steps the consumer should take:

• Verify the Product

• A tiger pelt is a protected item under CITES and is illegal to trade in most countries. Confirm that this product is indeed illegal by checking the website and national wildlife laws.

• Report the Listing on the E-commerce Platform

• Use the platform’s reporting tool to flag the listing as a violation of their policy and an illegal product.

• File a Report with Wildlife Authorities

• Report the seller to the CITES authorities and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) in India or equivalent authorities in other countries.

• Inform Wildlife NGOs

• Contact an NGO like TRAFFIC or WWF to report the illegal sale and help them track down the seller.

• Notify Cybercrime Authorities

• If the listing seems part of a larger illegal operation, consider filing a report with the cybercrime.gov.in in India or the relevant national agency for further investigation.