University of Helsinki study links online platforms to rising illegal wildlife trade

An international research team led by the University of Helsinki has reported a significant rise in the illegal trade of threatened animal, plant, and fungal species via social media and online marketplaces. The study, published in Nature Reviews Biodiversity, highlights that the digital shift in wildlife trafficking poses an escalating threat to global biodiversity.

Researchers identified thousands of affected species, including primates, birds, snakes, frogs, and orchids. Many of these species are already at high risk of extinction or were previously not recognized as primary targets for illegal trade. The study cites anonymity, weak regulatory governance, and a perceived low risk of detection as key drivers for this growth.

A separate investigation conducted in mid-2025 by the WWF, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the US Zoo and Aquarium Association found that over 1,600 primates were offered for sale on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube during a six-week sample period in the United States. Experts warn that the consequences for animal welfare and ecosystem stability mirror those of traditional wildlife trafficking but are amplified by the speed and reach of digital platforms.