Wildlife trafficking involves the illegal trade, smuggling, poaching, capture, or collection of endangered species, protected wildlife (including animals or plants that are subject to harvest quotas and regulated by permits), derivatives, or products thereof. There is, however, no universally accepted definition of the term and different jurisdictions and organizations employ different terminology (Biegus & Bueger, 2017; UNODC, 2016; Wellsmith, 2011).

Illegal trade of species refers to 'trade in specimens (any redily recognizable part or derivate thereof) of species included in Appendices I, II and III except in accordance with the provisions of the [CITES] Convention' (Source: CITES, Art. 1 and 2).