What would you like to search for?

Our News

The Trade in Asian Big Cats: An Analysis of Trends, Threats, Measures and Strategies

This report assesses trade dynamics in tigers (Panthera tigris), leopards (Panthera pardus), clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa and N. diardi), snow leopards (Panthera uncia), lions (Panthera leo leo), and Asiatic cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), collectively referred to as Asian big cats (ABCs).

Illegal trade in Asian big cats - including tigers, leopards, snow leopards and more - has persisted for 25 years, adapting to enforcement efforts and thriving through organised crime.

Released today by Go Insight, the report, “The Trade in Asian Big Cats: An Analysis of Trends, Threats, Measures and Strategies (2000–2024),” shows:

- Over 3,500 reported poaching and illegal trade incidents since 2000

- Online trafficking is no longer emerging - it’s entrenched

- Enforcement gaps leave species vulnerable

WWF urges stronger intelligence-led enforcement, financial investigations, and an independent reporting mechanism under CITES to protect these iconic species.