Who killed the tiger? The question isn’t enough to tackle modern trafficking

A global non-profit organization, TRAFFIC, has documented nearly 4,000 tiger seizures over a 25-year period ending in June 2025. This research reveals that tiger trafficking has evolved beyond the traditional focus on skin and bone parts to include whole animals and additional derivatives. The modern wildlife trafficker is utilizing more sophisticated networks, transport systems, financial channels, and digital platforms to facilitate their operations.

The changing landscape of tiger populations, their movement across various habitats, and human-tiger interactions have created new vulnerabilities that require a shift in conservation strategies. Traditional protective measures, such as strengthening boundaries and increasing patrolling, remain essential, but they must be complemented by a more inclusive and intelligence-driven approach that extends beyond protected areas to encompass buffer zones and interfaces.

This approach should involve collaboration among various sectors, including forest staff, local communities, law enforcement, and cybercrime experts. By adopting a proactive "Tiger Crime Opportunity Surface" strategy, conservationists aim to identify and address potential risks before tigers are harmed, rather than relying solely on post-mortem investigations.