Tech Boosts Global Fight Against Wildlife Trafficking: AI, DNA Tools Aid Enforcement

• Interpol's 2025 operation across 134 nations seized 30,000 animals and identified 1,100 suspected traffickers, highlighting the scale of illicit trade.
• Wildlife trafficking is a lucrative illicit industry, generating US$7 billion to $23 billion annually, involving live animals, plant products, and ivory.
• New digital tools, including advanced X-ray cargo screening and AI-powered species identification, are transforming enforcement from reactive to proactive.
• Portable DNA testing kits offer rapid, on-site identification of up to five species, similar to a pregnancy test, without traditional lab equipment.
• Handheld scanners identify timber species, and new legal reference tools compile international laws, aiding officers in navigating complex regulations.