The global amphibian pet trade moves millions of frogs, salamanders, and newts annually under conditions that cause high mortality and spread disease to wild populations.
Amphibians collected for the pet trade endure transit stress, inappropriate holding conditions, and placement in captivity where most buyers cannot provide appropriate care. High mortality during the collection, transit, and early captivity period means many amphibians suffer and die before establishing in a suitable home. The disease risk to wild populations from traded animals carrying Bsal, Bd, and other pathogens means individual welfare harms extend to population-level consequences. Captive breeding provides animals adapted to captive conditions while protecting wild populations from collection.