Wildlife

Wildlife Trade and Welfare at Point of Capture

Legal and illegal wildlife trade begins with capture methods causing high mortality and suffering, with welfare impacts rarely considered in trade regulation frameworks.

Key Facts

An estimated 100 million animals enter the legal wildlife trade annually
Capture mortality for some bird species exceeds 80% before reaching destination
CITES regulates trade volumes but has limited welfare provisions
Reptiles and amphibians are the largest group by volume in legal trade
Wild-caught animals in trade show higher stress and mortality than captive-bred equivalents

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife trade welfare impacts begin at capture — traps, nets, and collection methods cause injuries, drowning, crushing, and separation of social groups. Transport mortality adds to this toll before animals even enter commercial markets. International trade frameworks like CITES focus on population sustainability rather than individual welfare, leaving a major regulatory gap.

What You Can Do

Never purchase wild-caught wildlife as pets
Ask pet stores for proof of captive-bred origin
Support CITES reform to include welfare provisions
Advocate for import bans on wild-caught birds, reptiles, and amphibians
Report suspected illegal wildlife trade to authorities