In 2011, some areas of Africa reported the highest level of poaching ever recorded, and in 2012, 96 elephants were poached in the Greater Mara Ecosystem. Researchers estimate that 38,000 elephants are killed every year to supply the illegal ivory trade.

That is, one elephant killed every 15 minutes.

As a result of the pandemic, bushmeat poaching emerged as a concerning poaching trend. Bushmeat can be wildlife like zebra, wildebeest, giraffe or antelope, caught using snares and sold usually commercially. In 2023, MEP recorded the highest level of bushmeat poaching in a decade.