Problem

Much of the illegal trade in elephant ivory, pangolin scales, tiger parts and live exotic pets has moved online, where checking posts by hand is slow.

AI solution

Since 2019, IFAW and Baidu have run AI Guardian, which scans images to flag illegal listings. A no-code tool lets conservation staff use it without engineers.

Impact

The program has led to thousands of postings being removed, and a new version can spot dozens of species sold as pets. [NEED: updated numbers for 2025 and 2026.]

People

[An IFAW investigator we could feature.]

This story supports

SDG15

Sources (1)

ITU, AI for Good Innovate for Impact Final Report 2025, pp. 225–228

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