Summary
A wildlife group named the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) released a list of the 15 most poached animals for 2025. Animals like antelopes, rhinos, and elephants are targeted for illegal hunting, also known as poaching, mainly for their body parts and meat. Poaching remains a serious issue affecting species across the globe and contributes to illegal wildlife trade, which is worth billions of dollars.
Key Facts
- Poached animals include antelopes, buffalo, rhinos, elephants, apes, and lions.
- Poaching is illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, often organized by criminal networks.
- The illegal wildlife trade is valued between $7 billion and $23 billion each year.
- Over 7,100 African rhinos were killed for their horns between 2015 and 2025.
- About 90 percent of African elephants were killed by poachers over the last century.
- Peccaries, leatherback turtles, and serval cats are among other animals on the poached list.
- Pangolins are heavily trafficked for their scales and meat.
- IFAW's 2025 poaching list highlights ongoing threats to biodiversity worldwide.
