Banks given tips on tackling $23bn illegal wildlife trade

The illicit industry is estimated to be worth $23 billion a year, threatening the future of at-risk species such as the cheetah, pangolin and African elephant.

Compiled in partnership with the UAE and UK governments, the measures are intended to stem the flow of money to the international criminal organisations that profit from the trade

A list of red flags covering e-commerce, shipping, corruption, money laundering, client profiling and general transactions has been issued to banks.

Details on how to act on those suspicions have been circulated to encourage action by authorities to choke off funds to crime gangs selling wildlife online.