Global Trade in Exotic Pets 2006–2012

Abstract

International trade in exotic pets is an important and increasing driver of biodiversity loss and often compromises the standards required for good animal welfare. We systematically reviewed the scientific and gray literature and used the United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) trade database to establish temporal and geographical trade patterns of live exotic birds, mammals, and reptiles and to describe trends in research, taxonomic representation, and level of threat and legal protection of species traded. Birds were the most species-rich and abundant class reported in trade; reptiles were second most abundant but unusually the most studied in this context; and mammals were least abundant in trade. Mammalian and reptilian species traded as pets were more likely to be threatened than expected by random. There have been a substantial number of Appendix I listed captive-bred mammals and birds and wild-caught birds and reptiles reported in trade to CITES. We identified the Middle East's emerging role as a driver of demand for exotic pets of all taxa alongside the well-established and increasing role of South America and Southeast Asia in the market. Europe, North America, and the Middle East featured most heavily in trade reports to CITES, whereas trade involving South America and Southeast Asia were given most emphasis in the literature. For effective monitoring of and appropriate response to the international exotic pet trade, it is imperative that the reliability and detail of CITES trade reports improve and that scientific research be directed toward those taxa and locations that are most vulnerable.

Salmonella infection in healthy pet reptiles: Bacteriological isolation and study of some pathogenic characters

“…Recent data revealed that Europe is the first reptiles' importer in the world [2]. Reptiles are often asymptomatic carriers of some important pathogenic bacteria [3][4][5].…”

“…excreted in feces of clinically healthy pet reptiles, (2) to verify the presence of plasmid virulence genes in the isolates, (3) to study genetic profiles of the isolates by PFGE, and (4) to determine the susceptibility of the isolates to antibiotics.…”

Clouded in mystery: the global trade in clouded leopards

“…These data have proved revealing in previous studies of legal trade in wild mammals (e.g. Bush et al 2014;Harrington 2015). We queried the database for all records of trade in N. nebulosa, N. diardi, and Neofelis spp.…”

Physically Effective Fiber Threshold, Apparent Digestibility, and Novel Fecal Microbiome Identification of the Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)

“…Wild adult S. pardalis body mass averages 10 to 15 kg, with captive animals reported as exceeding 40 kg (Patterson, 1987 CITES, 2014b). In a recent study compiling information from world-wide exotic animal trade databases and reports (2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012), Testudinae was reported 17 times more often than other reptile orders in the exotic pet trade (Bush et al, 2014). Exotic animals pose unique concerns in captivity, as there are still large gaps in our knowledge of their basic natural propensities.…”