# Global Wildlife Trade Volume Significantly Underestimated by Researchers New study reveals over 100,000 species are traded globally, doubling previous estimates. - **Source:** [Environment | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/uk/environment) - **Published:** 2026-10-30 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9161ba0e-41da-4deb-b3ec-f0147bd2745e ## Scale of Wildlife Trade A study published in Science Advances identifies 107,356 species currently in use or traded globally. This figure is more than double the previous estimate of 50,000 provided by IPBES. Researchers emphasize that current global assessments fail to capture the full extent of modern trade, including online exotic pet markets. ## Online Market Challenges The rise of online platforms has revolutionized the exotic pet trade, making it easier to sell species like reptiles or spider eggs globally. Sellers can now operate with minimal oversight, sneaking animals onto planes or shipping them internationally. This digital shift has outpaced traditional monitoring systems, creating significant gaps in data. ## Specific Species Risks The Center for Biological Diversity recently petitioned the US Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Javan slit-faced bat. Consumers are increasingly purchasing these bats as taxidermy decor for holidays like Halloween. This trend highlights how ornamental demand directly threatens species, often before they can be officially listed as endangered. ## Data Collection Flaws Current progress tracking for wildlife sustainability relies heavily on fish stocks, which represent only 3% of traded species. Researchers argue that this narrow focus ignores vast sectors like timber, fashion, and ornamental trade. Without representative monitoring, managing the environmental impact of these diverse industries remains an impossible task for global authorities. ## Regulatory System Limitations The Cites system currently monitors and regulates international trade for approximately 40,000 species. However, experts warn that this framework is too slow to address emerging threats. By the time a species is officially listed, it may already be virtually extinct in the wild due to rapid exploitation by commercial traders. ## Laundering Into Legality Under-regulation has created loopholes that allow illegally sourced wildlife to be laundered into legal markets. This practice complicates efforts to distinguish between sustainable trade and activities driving extinction. Researchers note that even newly described species are targeted quickly, as their rarity makes them highly valuable to collectors and pet enthusiasts. ## Global Policy Targets Four years ago, nearly 200 countries committed to ensuring that the trade of wild species remains sustainable, safe, and legal. Despite these targets, progress is hampered by a lack of systematic data collection. Most nations currently lack the infrastructure to track species outside of the limited scope of existing international agreements. ## Urgent Need for Monitoring The rapid growth in demand for live wildlife, particularly for the pet trade, necessitates immediate improvements in monitoring mechanisms. Experts like Chris Shepherd argue that systematic data sharing is essential to prevent further biodiversity loss. Without better oversight, the current trajectory will continue to push an ever-growing list of species toward extinction. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/30/twice-as-many-plants-and-animals-sold-in-wildlife-trade-as-previously-thought-says-report — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._