Addressing Trade Documentation Gaps

Accurate trade documentation is essential for monitoring and regulating wildlife trade, yet gaps and inconsistencies remain a major challenge. Misreporting, incomplete permits, and discrepancies between export and import records can obscure the true scale of wildlife exploitation. Laundering of wildlife is a serious threat to many species, falsely claiming little to no impact on wild species.

At Wildview Analytics, I specialize in identifying and addressing these documentation gaps. By cross-referencing multiple data sources—CITES trade records, seizure reports, and field surveys—I detect inconsistencies that can signal illegal activity or systemic weaknesses in trade monitoring systems. I combine biological information with trade records to evaluate the likelihood that animals are bred in captivity instead of originating from the wild.

My work has shown that many species are traded under incorrect or vague taxonomic labels, hindering efforts to assess population-level impacts. I collaborate with experts in taxonomy and enforcement to recommend standardized reporting practices and strengthen data quality.

By shining a light on documentation gaps, I empower stakeholders to take proactive measures—whether through policy reform, better enforcement strategies, or awareness campaigns—to ensure that wildlife trade is transparent, traceable, and sustainable.

Selected publications:

• Janssen, J., & Krishnasamy, K. (2018). Left hung out to dry: How inadequate international protection can fuel trade in endemic species–The case of the earless monitor. Global Ecology and Conservation, 16, e00464.
• Janssen, J., & Chng, S. C. (2018). Biological parameters used in setting captive‐breeding quotas for Indonesia’s breeding facilities. Conservation Biology, 32(1), 18-25.
• Janssen, J., & Shepherd, C. R. (2018). Challenges in documenting trade in non CITES-listed species: A case study on crocodile skinks (Tribolonotus spp.). Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity, 11(4), 476-481.
• Janssen, J., & Leupen, B. T. (2019). Traded under the radar: poor documentation of trade in nationally-protected non-CITES species can cause fraudulent trade to go undetected. Biodiversity and conservation, 28(11), 2797-2804.