black-market wildlife commerce
nounUK /ˌblæk ˈmɑːkɪt ˈwaɪldlaɪf ˈkɒmɜːs/
US /ˌblæk ˈmɑːrkɪt ˈwaɪldlaɪf ˈkɑːmɜːrs/
the secret and illegal buying and selling of wild animals.
Rangers work hard to stop black-market wildlife commerce in the forest.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. the hidden business of selling protected animals as pets.
The police rescued parrots from black-market wildlife commerce.
3. the unlawful trade in animal parts like horns and skins.
Black-market wildlife commerce often targets elephant tusks.
4. secret deals that move wild creatures across borders for money.
Customs officers stopped a shipment linked to black-market wildlife commerce.