Global Wildlife Trade

Why in the news? A new study has found that nearly 1 in 5 species of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles are bought and sold on the wildlife market globally. What are the findings? 1. Out of 31,745 vertebrate species on Earth, 18% are traded which is 40-60 % higher than previous estimates. 2. Breakup of Wildlife Trade: 27 % (1,441) of mammal species, 23 % (2,345) of bird species, 10 % (609) of amphibian species, 12 % (1,184) of reptiles. 3. It also predicts that future trade will impact over 3,000 additional species, taking the total to about 8,700 species (25%). 4. Wildlife trade industry generates between $8 billion and 21 billion forcing some species closer to extinction. 5. Major causes contributing to the extinction risk is the trade of wildlife for luxury foods, Medicinal parts and Pets. 6. Overall invertebrates, 44 % are traded as pets and over 60 % as products.

Where are the Hotspots? The hotspots of trade are 1. Mammals: Africa and Southeast Asia 2. Reptiles: Australia and Madagascar 3. Wildlife Pet trade: In the tropics 4. Wildlife Product trade: Concentrated in tropical Africa and Southeast Asia, including the Himalayas.