New trend prompts tougher regulation

Exotic pets include animals taken from the wild or bred in captivity, ranging from amphibians and reptiles to birds and fish, according to Guo Jinghui, campaign manager at World Animal Protection, an international nonprofit organization.

According to a recent report released by the organization, the international trade in wildlife is worth as much as $42 billion a year, with illegal trading practices estimated to generate $20 billion of the total.

"The problem with exotic pets is that they account for approximately half the trade. Endangered and protected animals traded as exotic pets make up a substantial segment of the industry," Guo said.

The report showed that at least one-third of traded wildlife species die every year while being transported, as a result of being packed into confined spaces and harsh environments.

Meanwhile, at least 74 percent of traded snakes, lizards, tortoises and turtles die within a year because of inadequate feeding regimes and food, and being kept in inappropriate conditions.

According to research conducted by World Animal Protection on China's exotic pet market, only 52 percent of owners knew that their pets had been taken from the wild or that many had been transported illegally from overseas.

Moreover, 47 percent of owners raising an exotic pet for the first time had not researched their living habits, diet or natural habitat, which is another major cause of death among wild animals held in captivity.

"For example, the cute image of a flying squirrel catches many people's eyes. But they seldom know that this pretty, furry thing is a nocturnal animal that is active at night. Some flying squirrels have been abandoned by their owners because they were noisy late in the evening, especially during the mating season," Guo said.

She added that many people who buy young green iguanas don't realize that the adult lizard can grow to 2 meters in length and weigh more than 10 kilograms. Moreover, abandoned iguanas and other exotic pets are likely to be invasive species.

She said green iguanas have been very popular pets in Taiwan since their introduction a decade ago. However, so many have been abandoned that they have become a wild species on the island. Moreover, the population has rocketed as a result of the lack of a natural enemy, posing a major threat to the environment and native animals.

According to international law, certain critically endangered species caught in the wild can only be exported from their home countries for noncommercial purposes, such as scientific research.

"Airlines and internet platforms play an extremely important role in the trade in exotic pets. E-commerce platforms have also placed greater requirements on regulating and enforcing the wildlife trade," said Steve McIvor, CEO of World Animal Protection.

In May, 12 express logistics companies in China signed an industry convention pledging joint efforts to refuse services for the illegal trade.

The convention requires companies to strictly observe the laws and regulations on the trade in wildlife and related products. It also encourages companies to provide regular anti-trafficking training for employees.

The companies that signed the convention share about 90 percent of China's express logistics market, and as such they are expected to play a major role in the crackdown on the online illegal trade in wildlife and related products.

(China Daily Global 08/22/2019 page5)