Dark Web Sells Thousands of Wild Animals For Their Psychedelic Properties

Recent research has uncovered the dark web’s thriving wildlife trade, spotlighting how our interconnected digital world can magnify the already significant threat posed to many species. The catalyst for this trade is the internet, which makes these transactions more effortless than ever, causing the illegal wildlife trade to flourish.

A team of researchers from the University of Adelaide has discovered that hundreds of species, including the Sonoran desert toad, are illegally traded for recreational drug properties. While plants and fungi make up 90% of these transactions, certain animals are sought after for similar purposes. The Sonoran desert toad’s toxic glands, for example, contain the psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT.

Between 2014 and 2020, the research team examined two million dark web advertisements and identified 153 different species on sale. Seventy of these have known drug properties, with the South American tree Mimosa tenuiflora, a powerful hallucinogen DMT source, being the most commonly traded species.

Many of the traded species are not endangered. However, a few, like the psychedelic-containing peyote, are vulnerable. Other species are used in traditional medicine, fashion accessories, and, to a lesser extent, pets. The dark web, it appears, is a bustling marketplace of diverse wildlife trade.

Regrettably, the publically accessible internet (the open web) has such lax regulation around wildlife trade that dark web transactions are not even required. Illegal trade is rife on the open web, which is far more accessible, pointing to the fact that enforcement is the primary issue. Environmental crimes often have a low priority, despite the potential threats to public health and biodiversity.

The illegal wildlife trade contributes to the decline of numerous species, threatening the balance of natural systems, which ultimately impacts human well-being. Even traditionally sought-after animals like African gray parrots, tiger skins, and the occasional rare finds like the Goliath beetle and Japanese sea cucumber can be found on the dark web.

The rise of such unsustainable poaching of plants and animals indicates an urgent need for better regulation, enforcement, and consumer education. Researchers also propose certified breeding programs for high-demand species to curb their illegal trade.

Our desire to connect with and admire Earth’s diverse wildlife should not jeopardize their existence. Thus, as we navigate the digital age, addressing these ethical, environmental, and legal challenges becomes paramount to ensure the continued survival of our planet’s incredible biodiversity.

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