The following presentation slide deck accompanies my research paper titled "The Impact of International Trade Policies on Illegal Wildlife Trafficking," completed in December 2023.

This study investigates the complex relationship between international trade regulations and the prevalence of illegal wildlife trafficking, a multibillion-dollar criminal enterprise that threatens biodiversity, undermines law enforcement, and fuels global organized crime. While the research focuses primarily on the pangolin—currently the most trafficked mammal in the world—it uses this species as a case study to examine broader patterns and dynamics within the illicit wildlife trade.

Grounded in a mixed-methods approach, the paper combines quantitative analyses of trade policy shifts with qualitative insights from stakeholders such as law enforcement, conservationists, and traffickers. It evaluates the effectiveness of trade bans, enforcement protocols, and regulatory frameworks across key trafficking regions.

The research identifies how policy loopholes, enforcement inconsistencies, and persistent consumer demand—particularly in Asia and the U.S.—sustain trafficking networks despite global prohibitions. It also highlights the inadequacy of current penalties and calls for harmonized port regulations, enhanced surveillance infrastructure, and the creation of a collaborative international enforcement body.

While the pangolin is used as a focal species due to the depth of available data, the study’s methodology and implications are designed to be transferable to other threatened species impacted by transnational trafficking. Ultimately, this work advocates for stronger global governance, integrated policy responses, and greater public awareness to address one of the world's most urgent conservation crises.