Scientists' warning to humanity on illegal or unsustainable wildlife trade

• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109341
• Publication Date: 2021-10-08T16:52:07Z
• Authors: Pedro Cardoso; Kofi Amponsah-Mensah; João P. Barreiros; Jamie Bouhuys; Hubert Cheung; Alisa Davies; Sabrina Kumschick; Stuart J. Longhorn; Carlos A. Martíne...; Thais Q. Morcatty; Gretchen Peters; William J. Ripple; Emmanuel Rivera-T...; Oliver C. Stringham; Adam Toomes; Patricia Tricorache; Caroline S. Fukus...
• Keywords: Wildlife trade; Protectionism; Manifesto

Illegal or unsustainable wildlife trade is growing at a global level, threatening the traded species and coexisting biota, promoting spread of invasive species. From loss ecosystem services to diseases transmitted from humans, connections with major organized crime networks disruption local economies, its ramifications are pervading our daily lives perniciously affecting well-being. Here we build on manifesto 'World Scientists' Warning Humanity, issued by Alliance World Scientists. As group researchers deeply concerned about consequences illegal trade, review highlight how these can negatively impact species, ecosystems, society. We appeal for urgent action close key knowledge gaps regulate more stringently.