Crime · 12 December 2025
Facebook Wildlife Trade Investigation Reveals Extensive Trafficking Despite Bans
A BBC News investigation discovered endangered species including tiger parts, shark fins and pangolin scales being sold openly on Facebook despite the platform's stated ban. Chinese sellers offered tiger teeth for £213 each and bones for £380 per kilogram, with some claiming to ship to the UK. The investigation also found British companies illegally selling dried seahorses which can only be traded with sustainability certificates that are impossible to obtain in practice. Meta claims it removes violating content but critics argue enforcement remains inadequate against this global £17 billion illegal trade.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs