Advancing interdisciplinary science for disrupting wildlife trafficking networks

Area of Science:

• Conservation Science
• Supply Chain Management
• Criminology

Background:

• Wildlife trafficking (WT) poses significant threats to biodiversity, economies, and public health.
• Wildlife trafficking networks (WTNs) exhibit resilience due to adaptability and operation within both licit and illicit supply chains.
• Effective disruption strategies are hampered by a lack of scientific understanding of WTN structures and dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the complex structures and dynamics of wildlife trafficking networks (WTNs).
• To investigate the interplay between disruption efforts and network resilience within socio-environmental contexts.
• To highlight the need for interdisciplinary approaches and scientific insights for combating wildlife trafficking.

Main Methods:

• Case study analysis focusing on ploughshare tortoise trafficking.
• Conceptual advancements in understanding network structures and supply chain dynamics.
• Interdisciplinary synthesis of ecological, economic, and criminological perspectives.

Main Results:

• WTNs demonstrate high resilience, adaptability, and operate in a unique gray space within supply chains.
• Current knowledge gaps limit authorities' ability to effectively allocate resources for disruption.
• Ploughshare tortoise trafficking case illustrates the potential of interdisciplinary analysis.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for science-based recommendations for data collection and analysis of WTNs.
• Enhanced supply chain visibility and understanding network resilience are key to combating wildlife trafficking.
• Further scientific research is essential to develop effective strategies against illicit wildlife trade.