Concern Over Social Media Trafficking of Great Apes

Before the Internet, wildlife trafficking normally occurred in physical market places, auction houses or shops, which would limit their numbers. Now, thousands of traders are selling millions of wild animals and their products. This report by Daniel Stiles from the Project to End Great Ape Slavery investigates the trading of great apes on Instagram and Facebook.

PEGAS monitored social media accounts in thirteen countries. They found 98 individuals posting photos of great apes that they have at one time possessed personally. Of these, 52 were dealers and 46 were owners only, 7 are both. The individuals posted approximately 169 chimpanzees and 92 orangutans that they held in their possession, 261 photos in all. The most active region for great ape trafficking is the MIddle East, followed by South East Asia. However, there are many accounts and groups that have not been fully researched or even found yet.

Authors:
Daniel Stiles