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IN-WILD: Revolutionising Indicators for Wildlife Use and Trade Monitoring using Social Media and Integrated Global Wildlife Data Systems
Overview and objectives Project at a glance Members and partners Donors Join the IN-WILD Stakeholder Network IN-WILD Report Summary
Project Aug, 2025 - Feb, 2028

IN-WILD: Revolutionising Indicators for Wildlife Use and Trade Monitoring using Social Media and Integrated Global Wildlife Data Systems

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Overview and objectives

IN‑WILD aims to deliver standardised, scalable monitoring frameworks and novel indicators for wildlife use and trade, powered by big data from social media and other digital sources, to strengthen evidence‑based policy decision-making.

Join the IN-WILD Stakeholder Network
Summary:
IN-WILD is a GEF8 Innovation Window project led by IUCN and a global consortium to revolutionise how wildlife use and trade are monitored. The project is developing new indicators, harmonised digital…
IN-WILD is a GEF8 Innovation Window project led by IUCN and a global consortium to revolutionise how wildlife use and trade are monitored. The project is developing new indicators, harmonised digital data standards, and automated tools that draw on online marketplaces and social media data to generate near real time insights into wildlife trade dynamics. IN-WILD will directly support KMGBF Target 5 on the sustainable use of wild species and contribute to Target 9 on sustainable management, while enhancing implementation of CITES, CBD and CMS through the provision of policy relevant, standardised indicators and digital monitoring tools.
Objective:
1. Indicators & Digital Frameworks: IN-WILD will developing robust MEA aligned indicators derived from harmonised data standards and automated online trade data extraction. Novel data sources will be…
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1. Indicators & Digital Frameworks: IN-WILD will developing robust MEA aligned indicators derived from harmonised data standards and automated online trade data extraction. Novel data sources will be published via an open catalogue of data sources, and a publicly accessible API. A dedicated Stakeholder Working Group will bring together MEA Secretariats, governments, academia, and NGOs to guide indicator prioritisation and ensure relevance across policy contexts, and support testing with priority taxa, commodities and regions.

2. Capacity Building & Policy Uptake: IN-WILD will support governments, MEAs and stakeholders in the use and adoption of the indicators through policy frameworks, guidance, training, technical assistance and targeted communications. Capacity building activities will help embed the indicators into national and MEA reporting systems, strengthen practitioner skills in digital data use, and promote consistent interpretation and application across regions.

Together, these components ensure that interoperable and scalable wildlife trade indicators are developed, shaped by diverse expertise, and widely adopted, enabling more effective and sustainable wildlife management and strengthening MEA implementation.
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Story 03 Jul, 2026
New GEF-funded project strengthening wildlife use and trade indicators
As countries prepare for critical upcoming global biodiversity meetings, a new project is set to revolutionise how countries monitor wildlife use and trade in an increasingly digital world.
View project on the IUCN Open Project Portal

Members and partners

Dept of Biology, University of Oxford ,
IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic, and Social Policy 2026-2029,
IUCN Species Survival Commission 2026-2029,
Traffic International ,
UNEP-WCMC,
University of Cambridge ,
University of Helsinki,
Zoological Society of London

Thank you to our donors

GEF Trust Fund
IN-WILD Stakeholder Network

The IN-WILD Stakeholder Network is a diverse community of experts interested in improving indicators for sustainable wildlife use and trade. 

The IN-WILD Stakeholder Network is a critical component of the IN-WILD project, which runs alongside the activities of the IN-WILD Stakeholder Working Group (by invite only). It aims to leverage the wider global expertise and interest in improving sustainable wildlife use and trade monitoring across disciplines, sectors and regions by providing opportunities to engage with IN-WILD as it develops. 

As a member of the IN-WILD Stakeholder Network, you will benefit by staying up-to-date with project progress and the latest developments (distributed via an email mailing list). You will also benefit by having the opportunity to access wildlife use and trade data and insights generated from the project and to be involved in the pre-testing of indicators that are developed in their national or organisational context.

Members of the IN-WILD Stakeholder Network will have the opportunity to: 

  • Provide feedback on indicator development and associated methods 

  • Provide feedback on frameworks for indicator assessment and validation

  • Provide input on monitoring needs (e.g., preferences for real-time data versus aggregated metrics)

  • Provide input on data-related components of the project (e.g., data access and data standardization protocols)

  • Support the dissemination and uptake of indicators and associated methodologies at MEA meetings, including the CBD and CITES

Who can join?

The IN-WILD Stakeholder Network is open to government agencies, research and technical organisations, conservation practitioners, wildlife management professionals, and private‑sector and civil‑society representatives. We are hoping to create a diverse, interdisciplinary network of people interested in indicators for wildlife use and trade monitoring from across the globe. 

Join the IN-WILD Stakeholder Network
PRELIMINARY SUMMARY: IN-WILD INDICATOR SITUATION & GAP ANALYSIS (2026)

This early‑access summary previews IN‑WILD’s forthcoming 2027 report on the global gaps in monitoring wildlife use and trade. It highlights where current indicators fall short and outlines how IN‑WILD is working with partners to shape a stronger, post‑2030 framework. Read the summary to see what’s emerging and how to get involved.

IN-WILD_2026_REPORT_SUMMARY.pdf