Endangered Animals Advertised Online
Meta is facing serious allegations after conservation groups accused Facebook of hosting a massive illegal wildlife trade network. The report claims that endangered animals and animal parts are being advertised openly across Meta-owned platforms.
One disturbing Facebook post reviewed by AFP showed a dead pangolin placed on a weighing scale. The animal was almost unrecognisable. It had been stripped of its scales and was being promoted by a Thai account selling seasonal wild food.
Pangolins are among the world’s most endangered and trafficked mammals. Their meat and scales are often targeted by illegal wildlife traders. Conservationists say the post is not an isolated case. They argue that social media platforms have become a key marketplace for wildlife crime.
The new report, released by several non-governmental organisations on Monday, described Meta as hosting the world’s “largest single known illegal wildlife trade market.” It also alleged that the company may be encouraging such activity by allowing some users to earn through advertising revenue and subscription models.
Facebook Accused of Failing to Remove Illegal Posts
The report follows recent research by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. The group warned that Facebook has become a central online space where wildlife trafficking is being discovered, promoted, and expanded.
According to the research, more than 20,000 adverts for over 260,000 wildlife products appeared on social media platforms between April 2024 and March 2026. Nearly three-quarters of those posts were found on Facebook.
Experts said many accounts remained active even after being reported. Russell Gray, a data scientist and ecologist involved in the research, said several public accounts and groups named in the report were still live.
Wildlife campaigners say this raises major questions about Meta’s enforcement system. Meta declined to answer AFP’s questions directly. The company pointed to its policies that restrict the sale of endangered species on its platforms.
Experts Warn Online Wildlife Crime Is Growing
Conservationists say policies alone are not enough. Tom Taylor of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand said accounts openly breaking the law should be removed. He also called for investigations into the criminal networks behind them.
Experts also raised concerns about content monetisation. Wildlife trafficking investigator Daniel Stiles said engagement-based earnings could encourage illegal posts. He said the more attention such accounts receive, the more money they may make.
AFP reviewed posts offering chimpanzees as pets, rhino horn for traditional medicine, and pangolins for consumption. Some sellers used unclear captions and asked buyers to message privately. Others posted openly.
Researchers also warned that platform algorithms can make the problem worse. Users who interact with wildlife trade content may be shown more similar posts.
Meta recently joined other tech firms in promising action against online wildlife trafficking. However, conservationists say the company has made similar commitments before. They argue stronger enforcement is needed to stop illegal wildlife trade from growing online.
