In a sweeping effort to curb the digital wildlife trade, a coalition of major technology companies has blocked over 24.1 million prohibited wildlife listings and suspected illicit sellers between March 2018 and September 2024. The initiative spans more than 50 online platforms operated by over 40 member companies worldwide.

The coordinated action, part of the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online, marks one of the most extensive private-sector crackdowns on illegal wildlife trade ever recorded. The coalition includes leading e-commerce, social media, and tech companies working in collaboration with conservation organizations and law enforcement agencies.

During the six-year period, the alliance also flagged over 38,000 reports of suspected wildlife trafficking through volunteer networks and automated systems. To improve the detection of illegal activity, companies and enforcement partners shared a database of more than 4,000 search terms linked to wildlife trafficking, allowing for faster and more accurate monitoring of online listings.

In addition, over 3,050 company staff members received specialized training in identifying and removing prohibited wildlife content — including trade in ivory, big cat parts, reptiles, birds, and exotic pets.

Officials said the effort demonstrates how digital collaboration can play a decisive role in disrupting global trafficking networks that exploit online marketplaces. Conservationists hailed the results as a model for tech-enabled wildlife protection, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and cross-sector cooperation.

Experts warn, however, that as traffickers adapt to detection technologies, platforms must remain proactive through advanced AI monitoring, real-time data sharing, and stronger enforcement partnerships to keep illegal wildlife trade off the internet.