Illegal avian and reptilian pets: Global perspectives and challenges

Abstract

Human desire to keep wildlife as pets has created new avenues for exploitation of biodiversity. People satisfy their craving either by obtaining the preferred species from the wild or illicit market. To regulate such activities, laws have been formulated at the national and international levels. Growing demand and scope of commercial gains often require collection of wildlife beyond sustainable levels not permitted by regulations. Under a number of circumstances, the supply and procurement of legally protected species continues in violation of regulations. This has created the enormous possibility of unsustainable harvesting of wild species. The present review focuses on avian and reptilian pets with an aim to provide an overview of illegal pet keeping practices and trade, as well as understand the related driving factors, determinants and consequences. The purpose is to reveal the overall enormity of the illegal pet trade of these two heavily preferred and traded vertebrate classes together, which has never been done. The review is based on peer-reviewed and grey literature retrieved from online sources. The consequences and prevalent situations have been understood by citing appropriate examples. It was revealed that a number of factors intricately interlinked with social, economic, cultural and legal aspects of the society are responsible for this problem. The magnitude of illegal pet trade is also inconspicuous. The most formidable challenge in solving the problem arises from the fact that mechanisms designed to control it are actually utilized for its acceleration. Thus, collaborative initiatives should be taken by conservationists, policymakers, technocrats, law enforcers and social scientists to formulate appropriate solutions.