Blind beliefs fuel illicit pet trade

Pet trade is one of the main drivers of illicit trafficking of wildlife in Asia. Markets located in Bangkok and Jakarta attracts smugglers across the globe to trade in exotic pets. Over the last couple of years, attempts to smuggle birds, spiders, lizards, snakes among other species have seen a sharp rise.

Experts underline the urgent need to keep such species under the wildlife act. India is being seen as a source country from where wildlife is smuggled out to China and other rich countries. The markets across the globe attract the smugglers as there is a huge demand for pets among the civil societies owing to many traditional and blind beliefs.

Similar views were expressed by various other experts who are attending the training in Gandhinagar. They said that birds and other pet animals are becoming victims of cruelty when they are exported from one country to another. They blamed blind belief among other vices to be at the root of the flourishing illicit pet market.

Recently around 400 live turtles, alligator, star tortoises were seized at the Swarnabhumi International airport in Bangkok. Further, the officials had also foiled a smuggling attempt and seized 500 live protected animals stuffed into four bags, including turtles, tortoises and seven alligators. These animals were said to destined for infamous Chatuchak market in Bangkok, where such exotic and endangered wildlife are sold openly.

"Birds can't be kept in cage. You release birds on some auspicious occasion for good purpose but the downside of such trend is that you are promoting the market despite having good intention," said Samir Sinha, head of Traffic India.