How to Be Sure You Aren't Helping Wildlife Trafficking

People can be tempted to buy exotic animals as pets, but pet lovers should be aware of potential wildlife trafficking issues. Molly Ferrill, international photographer, filmmaker, and writer on animal protection and environmental issues was a guest on the radio podcast "Happy, Healthy Pets with Mark C. Robinson." Molly discussed what people can do to be part of the solution, as well as how to avoid inadvertently contributing to the illegal wildlife trade.

The Heart of Wildlife Trafficking

Molly worked in Bangkok for several years with Freeland Foundation, a nonprofit organization that combats wildlife trafficking and human slavery. Much of the worldwide illegal wildlife trade passes through Bangkok, which serves as a hub of activity.

The pangolin is the most frequently seized mammal in Asia's illegal wildlife trade

Illegally extracting animals from the wild is detrimental for many reasons. Perhaps most obviously, it can put the welfare of the animal at risk. Couched within that is the larger philosophical issue of whether it is humane to domesticate a wild animal.

Perhaps a less obvious reason that trafficking animals is harmful is the potential environmental impact. For example, depleting a forest of tigers takes away the top predator. This, in turn, can cause an overpopulation of the animals the tiger would normally feed upon. Thus, a perfectly balanced ecosystem that has been in place for centuries can start to careen in unforeseen ways.

Finally, many animals are trafficked that are endangered species. Tigers, slow lorises, and pangolins are just some of the animals on the endangered animals list.

Do Not Buy Trafficked Wildlife!

The slow loris illustrates why prospective pet owners should not purchase an exotic animal normally found in the wild. The slow loris is a very cute animal with large, round eyes that dominate its face. But looks can be deceiving!

A slow loris rescued from trafficking

The slow loris has a venomous bite. Consequently, its teeth are often extracted before being sold. This can be a very painful and inhumane process.

A video recently went viral of the slow loris being tickled while holding its arms overhead. Some might think the animal is enjoying the tickling, but it is actually a defensive behavior. The slow loris stores venom in its armpit glands, which it mixes with its saliva.

Because the slow loris is a nocturnal animal, it spends its waking hours during the night. Yet most people want pets that are interactive during the day. When people discover that the slow loris may not be the most companionable pet, or when the novelty of having an exotic pet has worn off, their fate is generally grim.

Finally, all species of the slow loris are considered either critically endangered or vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list. Pet owners should exercise extreme caution before buying an animal that may have come from the wild.

Wildlife Trafficking for Body Parts

A bear held in captivity for its bile in Viet Nam

In addition to trafficking wildlife for pets, many animals are illegally traded for their body parts. Others are held in captivity and "farmed" for substances made by their bodies.

An example of this are Asian sun bears and moon bears. These bears are farmed for the bile produced by their bodies. The bile is pumped out of their gall bladders with syringes and is used in traditional medicines.

The bears are kept in bad conditions in small, dirty cages. Molly described the difficulties and danger of documenting cases of this illegal trade in Viet Nam.

The beautiful and endangered elephant is routinely killed for its ivory tusks. Molly has documented large-scale ivory seizures in Thailand. No one who cares about the majestic elephant should ever purchase ivory!

Ivory seizure in Bangkok

Molly Ferrill documenting ivory seizure

Travelers, Beware of Harming Animals!

When traveling abroad, tourists can assist animals by being careful NOT to participate in attractions that are harmful to wildlife. A little research into prospective tourist stops, prior to a trip, can make a world of difference to animals.

Asian tiger rescued from trafficking

Molly described a recent investigation into a Tiger Temple in Thailand. Monks ran the popular tourist destination, allowing tourists to take photos and interact with the tigers, for a fee.

Among other travesties, the investigators found a back room full of bottles, each filled with a dead tiger cub suspended in a liquid. It is suspected that the cubs were being used to make a brew used in traditional medicine.

Tourist destinations should not allow a high degree of interaction with wild animals. A lot of interaction might mean that the animal is drugged, thereby making it more receptive to human contact. True animal lovers will resist the urge to interact with wild animals, allowing animals to remain wild.