Breaking the Chains: A National Threat Assessment on Malaysia’s Primate Trafficking Networks

Grant Type:

Conservation Grant

Year:

2026

State(s):

Kuala Lumpur, Nationwide

Project Leader:

TRAFFIC International Southeast Asia

This study addresses the rising trafficking of primates involving Malaysia by assessing illegal online trade, smuggling routes, and enforcement gaps. Its main objectives are to generate actionable intelligence, strengthen border and airport responses, and inform policies to disrupt trafficking networks and support long-term wildlife crime prevention.

The project will assess the scale and dynamics of primate trafficking involving Malaysia through court cases, online trade etc, to establish baseline data and guide long-term anti-wildlife crime action.

TRAFFIC International Southeast Asia

TRAFFIC has over 40 years of experience combating illegal wildlife trade, with a strong presence in Malaysia since 1992. Working closely with enforcement agencies, airports, and private-sector partners, TRAFFIC supports capacity building, intelligence sharing, and research on wildlife trafficking, including online trade. In Southeast Asia, they played a key role in strengthening multi-agency responses and policy engagement. Their recent work highlights emerging threats such as primate trafficking via air routes, positioning TRAFFIC to lead Malaysia’s first national assessment on this growing conservation challenge.