In 2019, the illegal wildlife trade reached staggering levels. Pangolin scales and ivory were being trafficked in massive quantities from Africa to Asia, exposing a network of crime syndicates operating at an industrial scale. The sheer volume of these shipments marked a disturbing milestone, one that revealed the global reach of these illegal activities. But then, in an unexpected turn, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp and sustained decline in these trades. And, remarkably, that disruption is holding.
But why has the trade not surged back? What does this shifting dynamic mean for the future of wildlife crime prevention and law enforcement?
We’re proud to share our latest report, Disruption and Disarray, which takes a deep dive into pangolin and ivory trafficking trends over the last decade —revealing a significant and sustained disruption in the flow of these products from Africa to Asia.
Drawing from seizure data, open-source research, and the Wildlife Justice Commission’s (WJC) own criminal intelligence and investigations, Disruption and Disarray paints a current and comprehensive picture of the pangolin and ivory trafficking landscape. It also provides best practices and recommendations for law enforcement and policymakers to strengthen future efforts against wildlife trafficking.
As traffickers adapt, so must we.
Celebrating 10 years of impact
As the Wildlife Justice Commission marks its 10th anniversary in 2025, this report serves as both a reflection on a decade of progress and a renewed call to action. Since its founding, the WJC has led intelligence-driven investigations and supported law enforcement partners worldwide.
Disruption and Disarray captures not only what’s been achieved—but what’s still at stake in the fight to protect wildlife and preserve ecosystems from transnational crime.
Disruption and Disarray: An analysis of pangolin scale and ivory trafficking, 2015–2024 is now available for download. Full translations of the report will also be available soon in Chinese, Vietnamese, French and Portuguese.
