The illegal cheetah trade from East Africa to the Arabian Peninsula represents a sophisticated smuggling operation moving an estimated 300 cubs annually across the Gulf of Aden. Traffickers transport the cubs hidden in hampers, crates, or cardboard boxes on dhows traveling from Berbera in Somaliland to Aden in Yemen – a journey of just over seven hours. From Yemen, the animals are moved by road or boat to Saudi Arabian animal markets or delivered directly to traders who market them throughout Gulf states via social media platforms and private chat groups. A single investigation identified over 2,000 cheetahs advertised online between 2010-2019. This network persists despite all Gulf states having laws prohibiting commercial trade in wild cheetahs, with enforcement remaining minimal – as evidenced by the United Arab Emirates's single seizure of four cheetahs since enacting a 2016 ban on private ownership of exotic pets.