Exploring market-based wildlife trade dynamics in Bangladesh

Abstract Wildlife markets are hotspots for illegal wildlife trade, with traders operating as a result of weak monitoring and law enforcement. Knowledge species traded, sources, routes used transport is needed to identify trade intervene stem trade. We conducted surveys in 13 across Bangladesh every month during January-December 2019 assess the abundance diversity taxa traded factors driving this Passeriformes, Columbiformes, Psittaciformes, Artiodactyla, Carnivora Testudines were most orders. also centres high-value species, including tiger Panthera tigris , crocodile Crocodylus porosus tortoises. In hill peri-urban commonly sold originated from nearby forests, whereas urban included both native exotic sourced internationally. Market type, road links market, presence enforcement agencies, proximity port form sale (live animals or byproducts) all significantly influenced what being traded. Trade mammals, reptiles, threatened was less common proximal agencies. Markets close seaports airports more likely sell wildlife. Based on our results, we recommend set interventions help reduce market-based Bangladesh.