Illegal wildlife trade is no longer confined to remote forests or border crossings. Increasingly, the trade is moving into the digital world. Authorities say traffickers are now using social media and online marketplaces to advertise and sell illegal wildlife products, making it easier to reach buyers while remaining anonymous.
For a country like Bhutan, known for its rich biodiversity, this emerging trend is creating a new and complex challenge.
Experts say some individuals are taking advantage of digital platforms to sell illegal wildlife products to a wider audience. In Bhutan, officials have already observed cases where wildlife items are promoted on social media.
These products range from deer antlers and snake skins to ivory cups.
While Facebook remains the most commonly used platform, officials say there have been no legally reported cases so far, partly because authorities lack the systems needed to trace online sellers.
“As long as a person has a mobile phone, it becomes both a buyer and seller platform,” said Kinga Norbu, Deputy Chief Forestry Officer with the Forest Surveillance and Enforcement division of the Department of Forests and Park Services.
“With cybercrime, the sophistication has become even more than a few years ago. So, departments must now strengthen their investigative skills to deal with these new challenges.”
Globally, illegal wildlife trade has become one of the most profitable environmental crimes. The market is estimated to be worth around USD 40bn.
According to the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online, companies participating in the initiative removed or blocked more than 24 million illegal wildlife listings and suspected sellers between 2018 and 2024.
However, the nature of online wildlife trade often differs from traditional trafficking.
“Large mammals like big cats and primates are rarely seen in online wildlife trade,” said M. Maranko, former Assistant Director of India’s Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
“Most activity on social media involves smaller animals such as tortoises, turtles and live birds. For Himalayan species, we still do not have much data.”
In Bhutan, officials say wildlife cybercrime is evolving quickly, making investigations increasingly difficult.
The absence of a proper tracking system means authorities cannot easily trace online wildlife products back to their sources or sellers.
“It has created widespread accessibility to both buyers and sellers,” said Kinga Norbu.
“At the moment, the department does not have the capacity to conduct cyber patrols or cyber investigations. But we are now looking at building that capacity to fight cybercrime.”
Bhutan’s laws, however, are clear.
Under the Forest and Nature Conservation Act 2023, the sale or trade of protected wildlife is a criminal offence. Individuals cannot legally possess wildlife specimens listed under Schedule I without a certificate issued by the Department of Forests and Park Services.
Violations can lead to heavy fines and imprisonment.
But as wildlife traffickers continue shifting their operations online, experts warn that traditional enforcement methods alone may no longer be enough.
Strengthening cyber investigations, improving digital monitoring systems, and enhancing international cooperation will likely be critical if Bhutan is to stay ahead of this evolving trade.
For now, authorities say protecting Bhutan’s wildlife will require keeping pace with a threat that is increasingly hidden not in forests, but behind screens.
Karma Wangdi and Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Sonam Wangdi
