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ScienceQuiet 6d · day 9

Study finds 107,000 species in global wildlife trade, double previous estimates

Researchers warn monitoring gaps mean the true scale of plant and animal trade is likely far larger than the revised figure.

newest coverage 5d agosummary written 8d ago7 pieces NewswiresRedditMastodon

What to know

  • A new study identifies 107,356 species in global wildlife trade—more than double the previous estimate of 50,000—revealing the scope of wildlife use is far larger than previously understood.
  • Researchers warn that massive data gaps mean the true scale is likely even larger, as modern online trade in exotic pets and ornamental species escapes current monitoring systems.
  • Wildlife trade encompasses both legal sectors (fisheries, timber, fashion) and illegal smuggling, with regulatory loopholes allowing species to be "laundered into legality."
  • The findings underscore risks to species like the Javan slit-faced bat, which is being traded for taxidermied decorations driven by consumer demand for gothic or spooky items.

Alice Hughes Professor, University of Melbourne; lead authorMolly Brown Programme officer, International Union for Conservation of Nature; co-authorCenter for Biological Diversity US nonprofit conservation organization

Study finds 107,000 species in global wildlife trade, double previous estimates
theguardian.com

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts

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  1. 1

    Center for Biological Diversity petitions to protect Javan slit-faced bat from extinction

    The US-based nonprofit filed a petition with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to list the Javan slit-faced bat under the Endangered Species Act, warning that consumers are buying taxidermied bats for decoration. The centre notes that US consumers seek these bats particularly for gothic or spooky Halloween and Christmas decorations, placing the species at risk of extinction.

    “The dimensions of trade have changed. Without monitoring it in a representative way, we cannot manage it. At the moment, we are completely underestimating what modern trade looks like – for the pet trade and for the ornamental trade, we are not capturing it. And it poses a major risk to species.”
    — Alice Hughes, Lead author, University of Melbourne · source
    • gkalinkat@det.social

      Originalstudie Hughes et al (2026) The true scale of global wildlife trade is obscured by data gaps https://www. science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv .aei3504 # biodiversity 🦜 # science 🧪 # openaccess 🔓

      gkalinkat@det.socialMastodon7d agoview on Mastodon ↗
  2. background

    Study reveals wildlife trade encompasses legal and illegal sectors with major regulatory loopholes — The research shows that wildlife trade includes not only illegal smuggling but also fisheries, timber, fashion, and ornamental sales—some sustainable, some driving species to extinction. The under-regulation of wildlife trade has created loopholes allowing species to be "laundered into legality." A specific example: butterfly species found in trade exceed IPBES's entire estimate for all traded terrestrial invertebrates.

  3. background

    Researchers warn data gaps mean true wildlife trade scale is likely even larger — Co-author Molly Brown of the International Union for Conservation of Nature states that the 107,000-species figure remains an underestimate due to lack of comprehensive monitoring data. The study notes that existing assessments have failed to keep up with changes such as the boom in online exotic pet trade, where sellers offer to post spider eggs across the world or sneak reptiles onto planes.

  4. background

    Study identifies 107,000 species in global wildlife trade, double previous count — Researchers publishing in Science Advances determined that 107,356 species are used or traded globally, far exceeding the previous estimate of about 50,000 species by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The study draws on more comprehensive datasets and newer research tracking species sold online.