Poaching and the Trade in Endangered Animals (1995–2020s)

Poaching and the Trade in Endangered Animals (1995–2020s)

#### Late 1990s
In 1995, elephant ivory, rhino horns, and sea turtle shells were being poached in Southeast Asian countries and illegally traded in Asian markets, including Japan and China. On Sumatra, the population of Sumatran tigers plummeted, with estimates placing the number below 400. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) advocated for the importance of international enforcement and established a monitoring center in Singapore. Efforts were also underway to strengthen regulations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

#### The 2000s
By the 2000s, poaching and the trade in rare animals had expanded further. In China and Vietnam in particular, demand for traditional medicine made rhino horns and tiger bones the focus of trade, leading to a sharp increase in smuggling volumes. For example, in 2004, the volume of rhino horns smuggled from South Africa to Vietnam more than doubled compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, in Japan, demand for exotic pets such as otters and lizards surged, creating a breeding ground for illegal trade. Furthermore, the spread of e-commerce led to illegal transactions being conducted online, making enforcement more difficult. In 2008, China and Japan permitted the legal trade of ivory as a temporary measure under CITES; however, this measure later faced criticism and led to a complete ban on ivory trade in the 2010s.

During this period, international cooperation was strengthened, and enforcement operations such as Interpol's "Operation Cobra" were launched. While this led to the dismantling of poaching syndicates in Southeast Asia and Africa, illegal trade remained at high levels.

#### The 2010s
In the 2010s, international regulations on the trade in ivory and rhino horn were strengthened, leading to a decline in trade volumes. However, reptiles, birds, and plants such as cacti and orchids began to attract attention as new targets for illegal trade. In particular, there was an increase in cases where Mexican cacti and rare orchids from Southeast Asia were traded at high prices.

Additionally, China announced a total ban on ivory trade in 2017, prompting calls within Japan to strengthen regulations on ivory trade as well. Meanwhile, demand for exotic pets increased, and the smuggling of slow lorises and reptiles remained a concern in Japan.

#### 2020s
According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), approximately 130,000 smuggling seizures were recorded across 162 countries between 2015 and 2021, with over 4,000 species of flora and fauna becoming targets of illegal trade. In Japan, in particular, the illegal import of otters and slow lorises continued, and WWF Japan has highlighted the dangers of the exotic pet trade.

While trade in ivory and rhino horn has declined as a result of international regulations, new forms of illegal trade utilizing online transactions and cryptocurrency have emerged. Particularly in the Congo Basin and the Mekong River basin in Asia, poaching continues against a backdrop of regional economic turmoil, causing serious impacts on ecosystems.