Tiger trafficking trends show rising whole-animal seizures, experts say

Traffic's 2000–2025 analysis recorded 2,551 tiger seizures affecting at least 3,808 tigers and found a shift toward trade in whole animals; experts warn current conservation efforts are not stopping illegal trafficking.

Traffic's 25-year analysis of global tiger seizures reports rising captures and a shift toward trade in whole animals. The study covers 2000 through 2025 and aims to show long-term patterns in illegal tiger trade. Experts from WWF and TRAFFIC described the findings as a wake-up call and noted impacts on both wild and captive tigers. The trend is concerning because tigers have the highest level of international protection and remain endangered. Key facts: - Traffic documented 2,551 seizures from 2000–2025, accounting for at least 3,808 tigers. - The analysis found an increase in whole-animal seizures, including both dead and live tigers. - 2023 was among the years with the highest reported seizure counts, with 139 incidents. - Heather Sohl, Tiger Trade Lead at WWF Global Tiger Program, described the report as a "wake-up call" about growing criminal activity and scale, as reported by Traffic. - Kanitha Krishnasamy, co-author and director for TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia, said both wild strongholds and captive tigers are being affected and called for cities to treat the issue as a priority, according to the analysis. Summary: The report indicates growing illegal trade that could undermine decades of conservation work and supports criminal networks through whole-animal trafficking. Undetermined at this time.