Facebook wildlife trade prompts fears among environmentalists

BBC - Environmentalists say they are worried about the emergence of Facebook as an online marketplace for trade in endangered species.

Wildlife monitoring network Traffic found hundreds of protected animals for sale on Facebook groups in Malaysia, including sun bears, gibbons, and binturongs, also known as bearcats.

It says this type of illegal trading is a growing threat around the world.

Facebook said it "will not hesitate" to remove content promoting such trade.

The researchers monitored 14 Facebook groups for 30 minutes daily over a period of five months. They found more than 300 wild, live animals for sale as pets.