Myanmar exemplifies the complex challenges of combating illegal wildlife trafficking, functioning as both a source and transit hub for endangered species due to its rich biodiversity and weak enforcement mechanisms. Despite being a CITES signatory, the country has become a critical corridor for wildlife products – including tigers, elephants, pangolins, and rhino horns – flowing between South Asia, Southeast Asia, and China. While international wildlife markets in border towns like Mong La and Tachilek have been well-documented as key channels for illegal wildlife entering China and Thailand respectively, researchers highlight a concerning knowledge gap about domestic wildlife trade networks and their connection to these larger cross-border operations. The political instability following the 2021 military coup has further complicated conservation efforts, with experts now advocating for a national wildlife crime database to improve information sharing, identify trafficking hotspots, and implement targeted community-based interventions rather than purely enforcement-focused approaches.