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“Unless we act now to stop the illegal trade, we will eventually find only a dust bowl, emptied of all its forests and animals. ” – Ben Davies.


A must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the illegal wildlife trade: Black Market: Inside the Endangered Species Trade in Asia by Ben Davies is a shocking portrait of the plundering of endangered species destined for Asia’s illegal wildlife markets.

Asia’s insatiable appetite for endangered wildlife products, combined with the region’s relentless population growth have forced pangolins and countless other animals to the very edge of extinction.

Illustrated with extremely graphic photos that will forever haunt the reader’s mind, this book is a comprehensive examination of the economic forces behind the well-funded organized crime syndicates responsible for fulfilling Asia’s unsustainable demand for wildlife products.

In all, a horrifying portrait of the human greed behind the senseless slaughter of hundreds of thousands of our planet’s most endangered animals.

It is quite disturbing to consider this book was published back in 2005.

Why this book is important: Black Market: Inside the Endangered Species Trade in Asia goes where most other books do not, and addresses the alarming effects that long-standing cultural myths and superstitions are having on our fragile wildlife populations.

Thankfully, the author also provides us with a glimmer of hope by including conservation success stories – and introducing us to heroes at ground zero who are bravely fighting the battle at against the illegal trade in endangered species.

Quotable moments

Pangolin trade in Thailand:

More than five thousand pangolins were seized by Thai authorities in 2003 and were presumed to be bound for China via Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia where they are also consumed.

Even when pangolins are found alive, they generally do not have a chance at survival.

Here is what happened to 600 pangolins intercepted at Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam:

… the pangolins were taken to a wildlife rescue center outside Hanoi, where 200 of them promptly died after being fed a diet of eggs, rice, and broth.

Several weeks later, the remaining pangolins were incinerated. It was, said the authorities, necessary to destroy them in order to prevent the spread of disease.

Where to purchase ‘Black Market: Inside the Endangered Species Trade in Asia’

You can purchase Black Market: Inside the Endangered Species Trade in Asia online at Amazon.com.

Author: Rhishja Larson. Learn more about Rhishja here.

Want to help? Check out our pangolin t-shirts: Project Pangolin is contributing $2.00 per t-shirt or hoodie to Education for Nature-Vietnam.

Image compiled by Project Pangolin.