This section examines the risks posed to Türkiye’s rich biological diversity by biotrafficking and biopiracy, evaluating the targeted organism groups, concealment methods, and recorded incidents based on scientific data. The most frequently smuggled biological materials in Türkiye are plants, particularly geophytes (Fritillaria L., Orchis L., Allium L., Crocus L.), followed by insects, reptiles, birds, amphibians, mammals, fungi, and microorganisms. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, seized materials include bulbs, tubers, seeds, pollen, herbarium specimens, live or dead individuals, skins, hides, shells, eggs, and tissues.

Methods used in biotrafficking reveal systematic concealment practices in which biological materials are hidden in everyday objects. Plant specimens are typically placed in envelopes, petri dishes, jars, pressed samples, or between clothing; insects are concealed in pill containers, eyeglass cases, books, souvenirs, or electronic devices. Reptiles are transported in shoe soles, belt linings, socks, hidden pockets, or luggage compartments; birds are hidden in tubes, bandages, bag linings, or suitcase interiors; amphibians are carried in moist bags, aerated plastic containers, or hollow objects. These findings demonstrate that most smuggling techniques rely on repurposing ordinary items for covert transport.

Reported biotrafficking incidents are concentrated mainly in border provinces such as Istanbul, Edirne, Van, Ağrı, and Artvin. In terms of nationality, Turkish citizens (12.9%) constitute the largest group of offenders, followed by individuals from Germany, Hungary, Russia, Czechia, Italy, Japan, Romania, Bulgaria, and Sweden. The aim of this section is to identify the organism groups targeted by biotrafficking in Türkiye, the concealment methods employed, and the distribution of incidents, thereby providing a scientific basis for developing effective national conservation strategies..