Illegal wildlife trade: An analysis of carnivore products found in markets in Benin and Niger

West Africa is home to one of the largest protected area systems in Africa, the W-Arly- Pendjari (WAP) Complex, which provides a last refuge for many threatened carnivore species extirpated from most other protected areas in the region. However, rising global demand for wildlife products has increased concerns about the impacts of Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) on these species. To assess the extent of IWT, covert market surveys were conducted in Benin and Niger to identify wildlife products and derivatives coming from carnivore species (African civet, serval, caracal, lion, cheetah, leopard, and spotted hyena) suspected to be targeted by IWT. When possible, information about product origin was gathered to understand trading routes. Data were analysed to determine if products were available in markets due to their proximity to source populations or due to accessibility to trade and transport hubs. A variety of products from several threatened species, including multiple lion skins, were found in Benin and Niger. Products were found more frequently in markets near the WAP Complex and main trade and transport hubs. Sellers reported that a large majority of products originated from international trade, but some could also have been sourced from the WAP Complex. There was little evidence indicating that product availability was more affected by the distance to the WAP Complex than by the distance to international transport hubs, suggesting that trade was widespread across both countries. The study provides an evidence base and monitoring baselines to identify and assess interventions to address IWT and ultimately reduce illegal trafficking of wildlife. L’Afrique de l’Ouest abrite l'un des plus grands systèmes d’aires protégées d’Afrique, le complexe W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP), qui constitue le dernier refuge aux grands félins qui ont disparu de la plupart des autres zones protégées de la région. Cependant, l’augmentation de la demande mondiale de produits issus de la faune sauvage a suscité des inquiétudes quant à l’impact du commerce illégal sur ces espèces. Afin d’évaluer l’ampleur de ce commerce illégal, des enquêtes sous couverture ont été menées sur des marchés du Bénin et du Niger. L’objectif de ces enquêtes était d’identifier les produits et dérivés provenant d’espèces de carnivores (civette africaine, serval, caracal, lion, guépard, léopard et hyène tachetée) soupçonnées d'être ciblées par le commerce illégal. Lorsque cela a été possible, des informations sur