Loopholes in EU legislation fuel a free-for-all to trade Latin America’s wildlife

(Brussels – 19 February, 2025) – Wildlife criminals are exploiting loopholes in EU wildlife trade legislation for the exotic pet trade, according to a new study documenting thousands of wild animals seized from Latin America to Europe – putting biodiversity in peril.

These seizures consisting of 2,495 wild animals from 69 different species were reported in the media between 2017 – 2023. The findings have been analysed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to assess the species affected and possible trafficking routes to the European region.

More than 94% of the seized wildlife destined for Europe were live animals intended for the exotic pet trade. This presents a major conservation and welfare concern. Wild animals smuggled across borders are often crammed into tiny make-shift containers and suffer immensely – the majority even die in transit.

Concerningly, the study found criminals deliberately exploiting loopholes by targeting species that have fewer legal protections. Even if animals are smuggled out of Latin America illegally, once in the European region, they can be traded legally.

Only around a quarter of species documented were protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – a set of international agreements to regulate the wildlife trade. Laws to protect non-CITES listed and often rare and endemic species smuggled in the EU, are inadequate and punishments for trading them are sometimes non-existent, presenting wildlife trafficking as a lucrative, low-risk, high-reward crime.

The demand for amphibians was most substantial, accounting for 59% (1,280 specimens) of all seizures, with poison dart frogs from Colombia, Panama and Brazil being the species most targeted. This was followed by birds - in particular songbirds, representing 29% of seizures, and reptiles representing 12%. Just two mammal seizures were documented, both as derivative parts – a jaguar and a South American fur seal.

The study also found: 

• In this study, shipments destined for Germany were found most frequently followed by Russia and Spain.
• European law enforcers indicate that the majority of illicit wildlife from Latin America is imported through air cargo using fraudulent documents and abusing loopholes in EU legislation.
• Two seizures were identified of wildlife being transited through Europe en route to Asia. This could be the tip of the iceberg for a much bigger issue: Europe may be used as a transit point because shipments receive little scrutiny, so wildlife seizures are rare. 

“Latin America is not a pet shop, and its wild animals are not for sale – that is the message we want to make clear”, says Ilaria Di Silvestre, IFAW’s Director for Policy & Advocacy for Europe. “This study paints an alarming picture for wildlife in the region as criminals are plundering them for greed with few consequences to fret over. This kind of illegal exploitation is rife, and we urgently need the EU action to safeguard this and other regions’ rich biodiversity.”

This snapshot of shipments being trafficked to Europe represented only a small fraction of wildlife being trafficked. As many wildlife seizures are not reported in the media, this study doesn’t allow an in-depth collection and analysis of all wildlife seizures for the entire EU. In addition, most illicit international shipments likely escape the attention of law enforcement agencies responsible for policing country borders.   

“These animals belong in their natural habitats - in the rainforests, grasslands, deserts, mountains and wetlands – not in display tanks or cages. This isn’t just for their own good, but they are all components of a fragile ecosystem, and all have a role to play. Smuggling animals like this threatens biodiversity, puts their lives and welfare at grave risk, and risks overspill of zoonotic disease transmission”, Di Silvestre added. 

Among its recommendations, IFAW calls for European legislation to criminalise smugglers of illegally sourced wildlife species that are not listed in CITES. The development and implementation of a centralised EU wildlife trade data collection system is also crucial to ensure consistent data collection across Member States and provide information on imported and exported wildlife species. At a consumer level, there is also a need to shift attitudes towards exotic pet ownership, via targeted behaviour change campaigns.

ENDS

Notes to editors

This study ‘Quick scan of illegal wildlife trade from Latin America to Europe’ offered a topline overview of the trade of wild animals from Latin America to the European region and presents a snapshot of a situation as opposed to a scientific research paper.

Press Contacts:

Kirsty Warren
Senior Communications Manager
m: +44 (0) 7809 269 747
e: kwarren@ifaw.org