Part 2: Illegality in the exotic pet trade

Brazilian dyeing poison frog ‘morphs’, found only in Brazil, are targeted by cross-border poaching networks in Suriname, trafficked to Europe, and then laundered through captive breeding facilities for “legal” sale within the EU.

Red flags include:

• Captive breeding of high-value, non-native species: Additional scrutiny should be applied to any captive facility engaged in the breeding and sale of high-value species. CITES Appendix I species bred in captivity and their offspring can be sold under CITES Appendix II permits. This loophole allows unscrupulous traders to capture, breed and sell CITES Appendix I protected animals.
• Repeat offenders: Wildlife traffickers regularly re-engage in the trade even after being caught multiple times. When breeding facilities are owned by or employ individuals accused of past involvement in IWT, extra scrutiny should be applied.