With greater population and economic growth in the region, there is an increasing consumer base in Southeast Asia for illegal wildlife and its derivatives. This is because with greater affluence, more people can afford such exotic pets and products which they believe can represent their wealth and social status.

Also, according to the “anthropogenic Allee effect”, the rarer the animal or plant, the more its value goes up. Thus, fueled by the demand, what results in the large profit margin for poachers and middlemen (shown in the figure above).

Furthermore, greater economic growth is likely to lead to greater income inequality and a rising gap between the rich and the poor. Therefore, this also provides greater incentive for those living under the poverty line to be involved in this lucrative industry. The poor, who are mainly poachers or middlemen, tend to be the ones that get caught while the mastermind behind the scenes often goes scot-free and is able to start his/her operations again.