An article in the August issue of the Society of Biology's magazine, The Biologist, has called for a complete prohibition of the trade in exotic pets.
The article was co-authored by Elaine Toland, Director of the Animal Protection Agency, Clifford Warwick, an independent biologist at Leeds University Medical School, and Phillip Arena, lecturer in biology at Murdocy University in Perth. It highlights PFMA figures showing that the population of reptiles in UK homes was 700,000 in 2009, 850,000 in 2010, and 800,000 in 2011. Meanwhile, the article estimates that 700,00 reptiles enter the UK pet trade system through importation and breeding each year, leading to the conclusion that the annual mortality rate for reptiles in the home is 75%.
In calling for the ban, the article also draws attention to the impact of the exotic pet trade on the ecosystem, problems caused by the release of non-native species into the environment, and the increased risk of zoonotic disease posed by the importation of exotic pets.
Elaine said: The fact that most reptiles die within a year is truly tragic, and is probably unresolvable because reptiles and captivity simply don't mix. The trade in wild-caught and captive-bred lizards, snakes, tortoises and turtles is wasteful, destructive and inhumane, and even the most conscientious and well-intentioned keepers cannot realistically provide for all these animals' biological needs. The public would never tolerate three out of four dogs dying annually in the home, and nor should we tolerate such premature mortality in reptiles. A ban on this high turnover trade in disposable animals is long overdue.
She added: "While trade bans on certain species have not solved all the problems associated with exotic pet trading, they are very effective and important and more are urgently required. We are not proposing a ban on the private keeping of exotic pets as this would be both very heavy-handed and create a whole new problem of what to do with all the animals. Rather, we want an end to the commercial trade supply so that existing problems wither gradually along with a dwindling captive population."
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Discussion on this subject is long overdue! As a first opinion vet with 35 years in the profession I would add my support to a total ban on the importation of 'exotic species'. The definition of 'exotics' would have to be carefully considered but would have to include several categories such as those animals unable to survive if released into the wild, those that if released would pose a problem to indigenous species along with those non indigenous species.
In my experience most of these exotics are bought by people on a whim whilst visiting a garden centre or pet superstore at the weekend. These retailers have a very limited knowledge, especially when it's the snake 'experts' day off. Having been the vet for one of these chains they are most bothered about the sale of the unfotunate pet and all the kit that goes with it than the welfare of the pet when it leaves the store. Perhaps if these stores where made to do 'post sale checks' after a sale, to ensure the pets were being cared for, and this was a legal requirement of any licensing, they would think twice about selling them.
In a recent Veterinary publication Neil Forbes defends exotic importation and says vets need to do more to understand exotics. I would point out to Mr Forbes it takes me all my time to understand the 'normal' pets that walk through my door without taking on a whole new sector. Especially one where most patients are presented in extremis, or as a result of poor husbandry by clients from sections of society who don't want to pay the price of a consultation fee! Mr Forbes ideas for a basic husbandry exam would not work- who pays for it and who polices it? Why put all the onus on the veterinary profession to provide a higher trained vet when most exotics never see a vet.
I am not lacking experience with exotics in that I used to keep red-eared terrapins and alligator snappers which eventually ended up in a local zoo due to their size. There will always be a black market and legislation needs to be carefully thought out to be watertight with stiff penalties for non compliance.
No extra training, no discussion, no white paper just a complete ban on humane grounds. After all it is trafficking!!!