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Appeal: Support our brave undercover investigators

Help us shine a light on wildlife trafficking

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Our intrepid undercover investigators

EIA undercover investigators are on the trail of wildlife criminals.

They’re working on covert operations to gather crucial evidence to expose illicit wildlife trade.

They’re uncovering key players, major trafficking routes, concealment techniques and payment methods.

It’s risky, nerve-wracking work. For each investigation, they must establish a new identity, keep their story straight and capture evidence without being detected.

But for these brave individuals, the rewards are worth the risks. Driven by a sense of justice, they’re determined to bring environmental crimes to light.

Playing the long game

With our investigations, it’s a very long game. It’s never enough just to put out a report. We have to make sure that governments and authorities follow our recommendations. Then we have to go back to see what’s changed because the illegal wildlife trade is always evolving. Traffickers find new ways to evade detection and new criminals come into the business. It’s an ongoing cycle.

An EIA undercover investigator

Investigations and the cycle of change

Our undercover investigators work alongside a dedicated team of analysts in the EIA Intelligence & Investigations Unit. Together, they gather hard-hitting evidence that disrupts criminal networks and drives change. This diagram shows how investigations fit into our constant cycle of reports and campaigns.

Help us protect threatened wildlife

African elephants are vulnerable to traffickers who poach them for their ivory. EIA is determined to protect these majestic animals while there’s still time.

Pangolins are shy, defenceless creatures. They face an unprecedented threat from trafficking of their scales, often for the traditional Chinese medicine market.

Wild tigers are perilously close to extinction across much of South-East Asia, where they are hunted and trafficked for their skin, bones, teeth and claws.

Undercover successes

See how our pioneering investigations have uncovered ruthless wildlife criminals, put pressure on authorities and led to real-world change.

In 2014, our undercover team discovered that a network of traffickers from Shuidong in southern China was behind the mass slaughter of elephants in Tanzania and Mozambique. We shared our findings with the Chinese authorities, which led to which led to 21 people being sentenced for their involvement, with penalties including confiscation of assets and up to 15 years in jail. Another key player was arrested in May this year after eight years on the run.

One of many shipments of illegal ivory organised by the Shuidong syndicate (c) EIA

In 2019, EIA undercover investigators made contact with key individuals involved in trafficking African pangolins. Our 2022 report, Lethal Loopholes, exposed their working methods. We’re keeping up the pressure for change by calling on Chinese wildlife authorities to protect pangolins and by campaigning for an end to the use of endangered animals in medicine.

Pangolin scales seized in Hong Kong (c) Hong Kong Customs

EIA’s undercover investigators have revealed the alarming rise in Asian tiger skin trafficking, exposed the illegal selling of tiger parts, and uncovered the role of tiger farming in stimulating demand for tigers. Today, we continue to share information gathered by our investigators to expose the criminals who relentlessly drive tigers towards extinction.

Tiger bone glue

 EIA’s campaigns are driven by evidence, and undercover investigations are the foundation of our success. The intelligence gathered by our investigators is instrumental in driving calls for stronger policy, enhanced enforcement responses and systemic change in the fight against wildlife crime. Without this critical work, our efforts to protect keystone species such as elephants, pangolins, rhinos and tigers from illegal trade would not be possible.

Linh Nguyen, EIA UK Senior Wildlife Campaigner

How you can help bring about change

By donating to EIA today, you can support our undercover investigators as they carry out their dangerous, high-risk work. Help us to:

  • Conduct undercover investigations and identify criminals who profit from environmental exploitation.
  • Gather evidence that leads to tougher regulations and the prosecution of offenders.
  • Influence global policy and advocate for systemic reforms that protect the natural world.

I’d like to make a

Any donation you’re able to give today will help support the full range of EIA’s work to defend the natural world from environmental crime and abuse. This includes EIA’s undercover investigations to expose transnational wildlife crime, our work to safeguard global marine ecosystems and our campaigns to reduce the impact of climate change.