Canada's Borders Struggle to Curb Illegal Wildlife Trade, Experts Cite Legal Loopholes and Enforcement Gaps
Illegal wildlife continues to enter Canada due to significant loopholes in its legal framework and enforcement, according to experts. Chris Shepherd, a senior conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity, highlighted the ease of accessing the illegal wildlife trade in Canada, recounting an instance where a seller at a reptile fair openly discussed receiving illegal shipments from the U.S. The global black-market wildlife trade, valued at approximately $20 billion annually, is a major driver of species extinction. While Canada has a law prohibiting the import of wildlife taken illegally in other countries, it lacks a requirement for proof of origin at the border, effectively rendering the law ineffective. This allows various protected species to be smuggled, sold, and even bred within Canada. The legal wildlife trade is estimated at $220 billion annually, involving at least 70,000 species, often with insufficient data on sustainability. The issue is compounded by the fact that Canada is bo...
