In our third episode, we are exploring the criminal underworld of the illegal wildlife trade. Raking in up to an estimated $23 billion a year according to the UN, the international wildlife trade is one of the most lucrative transnational organised crimes.

Ivory, rhino horn and tiger parts are among the most popular large animal "commodities" that are trafficked by criminal networks involved in the illegal trade. Today, we are left with fewer than around 4000 tigers living in a meagre 4% of their historic range compared with the 100,000 wild tigers who roamed across Asia just over a century ago. And yet, there is no respite for this heavily persecuted species with an estimated 2 tigers seized per week since the turn of the century.

We are joined by Debbie Banks, the Tiger and Wildlife Crime Campaign Leader for the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). From undercover operations exposing the illegal tiger trade to working with governments to improve policy and commitment, Debbie has dedicated more than 20 years to protecting tigers. She has worked on projects and investigations in India, Nepal, China, Thailand, the USA, Europe and Japan and has trained numerous investigators to continue her legacy.

You can read more reports on the illegal wildlife trade from the EIA here.