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In recent years, traders in west Africa have used social media to advertise wild meat directly and connect with customers. Platforms like TikTok and Facebook act as online storefronts linked to physical markets, enabling sellers to reach much larger audiences than they would have by selling at traditional stalls. This change is bringing new, often urban, buyers into the market and altering how wild meat is sold and the overall scale of the trade. A screenshot of a wild meat TikTok channel. Supplied We are wildlife researchers studying the trade in wild animals in west Africa.

A Chinese national has been slapped with a R250,000 fine for illegal possession of abalone and for operating a fish processing establishment without a permit. Qing Yun Jiang, 58, was also handed a two-year sentence behind bars. He was arrested by sea border police in December 2022. The Wynberg magistrate's court sentenced him on Friday. Hawks' spokesperson, Lt-Col Siyabulela Vukubi said police found abalone worth about R3m when they searched premises in Mowbray, Cape Town. He said the matter was referred to the Hawks' economic protected resources unit for investigation.

When South African officials at Cape Town's international airport came across cardboard boxes labelled as toys being sent to China they became suspicious. China is famous for exporting toys around the world - not importing them. The boxes were opened for a spot check - and instead of finding the promised toddler’s cooking set or a board game inside, they discovered bundles of endangered succulent plants all carefully wrapped in toilet paper.