On 14 February, the UK government is hosting an international conference on the illegal trade in wildlife, aiming to secure high-level political commitment from governments worldwide to combat the issue.
According to the government, the illegal wildlife industry is worth more than £6 billion annually and is growing. Rhino horns can sell for up to £40,000 per kilogram, making them more expensive than gold. The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) reports that over 22,000 elephants were slaughtered for their tusks in 2012.
The problem extends beyond ivory, with many other endangered animals in demand for their perceived medicinal properties or as status symbols.
Photographer Patrick Brown spent a decade documenting the illegal trade of endangered animals in Asia. His work, published by Dewi Lewis ahead of the London conference, captures the entire story from poachers and conservationists to dealers and buyers.
