Wildlife

Pet Trade Impact on Wild Amphibians

The international pet trade in amphibians threatens wild populations and spreads deadly chytrid fungus to new locations.

Key Facts

Over 100 million amphibians are traded internationally each year
The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has caused 90+ extinctions
Many traded species are wild-caught rather than captive-bred
Amphibians are particularly fragile and suffer high mortality in transit
Salamander trade is spreading a second deadly fungus, Bsal

Welfare Considerations

Wild-caught amphibians suffer enormously during collection, holding, and transport, with mortality rates often exceeding 50% before reaching pet stores. Those that survive frequently die within a year due to stress and inappropriate husbandry. The spread of chytrid fungus via the trade has caused mass mortality events affecting billions of wild amphibians.

What You Can Do

Never purchase wild-caught amphibians
Support captive-breeding programs for rare species
Advocate for stricter amphibian import regulations
Report suspected illegal amphibian trade to TRAFFIC