Trafficking of wildlife and wildlife products is estimated to be the fourth largest illegal trade in the world.
But this destructive, devastating billion-dollar trade that threatens many of the world's most endangered species still operates as somewhat of a mystery. What avenues are smugglers using to illegally move products, animals and plants from place to place? What countries are the biggest exporters? In which countries is demand the greatest?
These are some of the questions FIU conservation crime scientist Stephen Pires wanted to answer.
Pires — an associate professor in FIU's Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs — breaks down what he's uncovered about the trade in his latest study.
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