Exploring market-based wildlife trade dynamics in Bangladesh

Abstract

Wildlife markets are hotspots for illegal wildlife trade, with traders operating as a result of weak monitoring and law enforcement. Knowledge of species traded, sources, and routes used for transport is needed to identify illegal wildlife trade markets and intervene to stem trade. We conducted surveys in 13 wildlife markets across Bangladesh every month during January-December 2019 to assess the abundance and diversity of wildlife taxa traded and the factors driving this trade. Passeriformes, Columbiformes, Psittaciformes, Artiodactyla, Carnivora and Testudines were the most traded orders. Wildlife markets were also centres of trade for high-value species, including the tiger Panthera tigris, crocodile Crocodylus porosus and tortoises. In hill markets and peri-urban markets the most commonly sold species originated from nearby forests, whereas urban markets included both native species and exotic species sourced internationally. Market type, road links to the market, the presence of law enforcement agencies, proximity to a port and form of sale (live animals or byproducts) all significantly influenced what is being traded. Trade of mammals, reptiles, high-value wildlife species and threatened species was less common in markets proximal to law enforcement agencies. Markets close to seaports or airports were more likely to sell mammals, threatened species and high-value wildlife. Based on our results, we recommend a set of interventions to help reduce market-based wildlife trade in Bangladesh.

Local impact, global challenge: the role of domestic markets in the illegal wildlife trade

“…Domestic markets across Africa, Asia and Latin America are characterized by their diversity of species and purposes, and their high volumes. In Bangladesh, domestic markets boast a high diversity and abundance of wild and domestic, exotic and native, low- and high-value, common and threatened species of birds, reptiles and mammals suited to every taste and budget (Uddin et al, 2024). Markets elsewhere include rare species such as the Endangered Goliath frog in Cameroon (Tasse Taboue et al, 2024), and other frog species sold in local food markets across West Africa (Sackey et al, 2023).…”

“…Such is the case of tortoises and hard-shell and soft-shell turtles in domestic markets in India, which are sold both as pets and meat (Sengottuvel et al, 2024). Threatened and high-value species are not exclusive to international markets, and species such as tigers and jaguars are also valued by local consumers, driving the trade in wildlife parts, derivatives and processed goods to supply both local and international cultural and medicinal demands (Uddin et al, 2024; Elwin et al, 2024).…”

“…For instance, tortoise and hard-shell turtle pet trade networks in India tend to be decentralized, with a large number of actors, whereas soft-shell turtle wild meat trade networks are more centralized, with a small number of key actors controlling the trade (Sengottuvel et al, 2024). In some cases, wildlife trade concentrates around specific hotspots, such as Chennai in southern India, which is a central node for the domestic and international bird and reptile pet trade (Kalra et al, 2024; Sengottuvel et al, 2024), whereas in others it is dispersed across urban, peri-urban, and rural markets (Uddin et al, 2024). Intermediaries help to perpetuate wildlife trade in domestic markets by providing financial incentives to local hunters and by forging links with international markets, as in the case of the trade in Goliath frogs in Cameroon (Tasse Taboue et al, 2024) and of passerine birds in Brazil (Silva et al, 2022).…”

“…Like international trade, domestic wildlife markets adapt quickly to changing conditions and opportunities of wildlife availability, access, connectivity, seasonality and enforcement. Large fluctuations in the quantity, diversity and type of species have been detected in Bangladeshi domestic markets in response to the changing seasons, with impassable roads in the wet season offering protection from enforcement (Uddin et al, 2024).…”

“…The lower risks mean that the domestic wildlife trade can afford to be less selective, less constrained in volume, and can offer business opportunities to traders with varying levels of experience. In Bangladesh, wildlife trade is often an opportunistic livelihood option for rural people, coinciding with patterns of unemployment dictated by the economy and the seasons (Uddin et al, 2024). Nevertheless, the country's domestic markets are consistently filled with large volumes and a diversity of species, as traders function under the conviction that authorities are unlikely to pay attention to the trade or to interfere with the livelihood activities of the poor (Uddin et al, 2024).…”