# data[].attributes.body
EU has imported  20,788,747 live reptiles with Germany to be the first importer, Great Britain the second and Spain, Czech Republic and Italy to follow, while exporting coutries include USA, China, Vietnam, Tanzania and coutries within biodiversity hotspots like Madagascar, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Benin. Species that are classified as threatened by the IUCN Red List but are not covered by CITES are most susceptible to illegal trade. Within the European pet trade, 75 species with IUCN Red List status CR, EN, or VU have been identified being sold. EU's legislation protects strictly all native species to the EU or protected by CITES. All other species can be freely traded whether they are threatened or strictly protected in their native range. [1]

Greece is also a consumer of exotic pets. Here is a table indicating the imported animals in Greece in the last decade. Greece abides in the EU legislation that protects all native species. CITES inspects also the country's imports and exports of animals providing important statistics. Here is a table about the animals being exported from Greece between 2008 and 2018.

The volume of import of decorative live animals and plants into Russia has significantly increased since the 1990’s. Many amphibian and reptile species imported into Russia are covered by the CITES, moreover land and sea turtles (Testudinidae spp., Cheloniidae spp.), all monitor lizards (Varanus spp.), crocodiles (Crocodilia spp.), iguanas (Iguana spp.), chameleons (Furcifer spp.), beaded lizards (Heloderma spp.), boas (Boidae spp.) and pythons (Pythonidae spp.) are fully included in CITES.[6]
In Hungary for both amphibians and reptiles, habitat loss is the main conversation concern so far [7][8], but based on the growing interest in exotic pets [9], it’s necessary to pay attention to the non-native amphibian and reptile species and their invasion potential.

The Caribbean West Indies has a unique community of endemic reptiles, and new species are regularly discovered [10]. But the West Indies region has also the highest rate of reptile extinctions globally. Caribbean island herpetofauna is facing a new threat: poaching, to supply the international pet trade.[11] Attached, there are tables about species being imported and exported from Guadeloupe during the last decade.

# data[].attributes.headline
Title:  International pet trade effects on the herpetofauna of our HerpetoArea

# data[].attributes.subject
Title:  International pet trade effects on the herpetofauna of our HerpetoArea

# data[].attributes.body
Authors and their affiliations

Dimitra Sergiadou (Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Greece & CIBIO – Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Portugal)

Ekaterina Gudkova (Department of biology,  University of Crete)

Camille Gaulier (Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium - and LASIR Laboratory, Lille University, France)

Adrienn Gyalus (Large-scale Vegetation Ecology Research Group, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences)

Anastasia Panagiotidou (Graduate of Department of Biology, University of Crete)

Stamos Bakratsas (Dipartment of Biology, University of Crete)

Anthitsa Gkougkoustamou (Biology teacher at secondrary school -public education)

Date: March, 2019

# data[].attributes.body
The capture and trade of wild animals as pets is a common trend nowadays. The global trade of some reptile and amphibian species is considered the second largest threat to their survival. In this report we focus on the impact of the international pet trade on the local herpetofauna of our HerpetoAreas, taking under consideration illegal collections, invasive species and diseases. This report includes information about our HerpetoAreas: 1)Russia, 2)Germany, 3)Guadeloupe 4)Hungary, 5)Greece (in general), 6) Northern Greece, 7) Ioannina city (Greece). Analysing the main threats to local Herpetofaunas, we suggest ways to enhance protection of endangered and rare species affected by pet trade.

# data[].attributes.body
“Historically, getting a wild species to keep as a pet, more commonly known as an exotic pet, was a small-scale operation. Today, these animals are part of a much larger operation – a multibillion dollar global industry."
- World Animal Protection

# data[].attributes.body
In Greece, there are a few native Greek species that are threatened by illegal collecting for trade as pets. Some of these species are the mediterranean tortoise (Testudo hermanni), Milos viper (Macrovipera schweizeri) and the two chameleon species (Chamaeleo chamaeleon and Chamaeleo africanus).[12]

The World Wide Fund for Nature turned to the environmental prosecutor's office of Russia with a request regarding the announcement of the sale of Nikolsky's tortoise (Testudo graeca nikolskii), discovered on Avito (a well-known trading virtual platform in Russia). In 2017, environmental activists have identified more than 10 such ads on well-known virtual trading platforms.The total number of the Nikolsky tortoise is currently estimated at only a few tens of thousands of individuals.[13] The Russian tortoise (Testudo [Agrionemys] horsfieldii) is one of the most heavily traded reptiles in the world; 150,000 are taken from the wild each year. Most (>90%) individuals in the pet trade are wild-caught. Due in part to capture for the pet trade, habitat loss, and hunting for local medicinal purposes, Russian tortoises are at risk of extinction in the wild.[14]

Despite their status as protected species, sea turtles and their eggs are still subject to poaching in Guadeloupe, often linked to cultural or culinary practices.[15]  Overexploitation of marine turtles in legal fisheries and through illegal harvest and trade poses a major threat to the survival of marine turtles across the Wider Caribbean Region, according to a new report launched today by TRAFFIC.[16]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Taking on Turtle Egg Poaching With Fake Eggs

# data[].attributes.body
A very important (and sad) aspect of having exotic pets, is their releasement in nature when they are no longer needed. The National Amphibian and Reptile Monitoring Programme of Hungary - which is available for everybody - made it possible from 2012 to report observations of non-native species as well, under „other species”. The data of non-native species get us a picture about which exotic pets are present in an area, but more importantly, it also gives the opportunity to experts to detect in time the possible invasions. [9]

Trachemys scripta is unfortunately the most popular pet turtle in the world. It has therefore become the most commonly traded turtle as well. It is native to the southern United States and northern Mexico, but has become established in other places because of pet releases and has become an invasive alien species in many areas where it outcompetes native species, as it is the case of all our studied areas (Greece, Russia, Hungary, Germany, Guadeloupe).[17][18] It has been found to compete for food, nesting sites and basking sites with the native pond turtles leaving them almost constantly in water unable to dry their shell leading to infections and mycosis. [19] Such an example is here. From 2017, the trade of all subspecies of Trachemys scripta is prohibited in Hungary.  [20]
An example of other alien species in the countryside of Northern Greece includes an American red-footed ground tortoise found in the fileds of Katerini, probably a pet that was released into the wild. [21] In Crete pet releasing became a problem to the local frog communities as Rana catesbeiana is a potential invasive species and can displace or even lead to extinction the local populations of Pelophylax cretensis. [22]

Another possibly dangerous species in Hungary is the Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta belli). This species has became invasive in California, which caused the decline of the western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata), and it is closely related to the European pond turtle. Due to their similarity, it could also endanger the pond turtle in Hungary if it spread, but it’s still legal to get as a pet. [9]

If we talk about amphibians the most well-known case of invasive species that was imported to Russia through the pet trade was marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus). In the ponds where R. ridibunda appears, the green toads often disappear, although they coexist in places of natural coexistence of these species. Not only fish and amphibians, but also the young of higher vertebrates become a prey of large P. ridibundus, and in some populations, this occurs more or less regularly. [23]

# data[].attributes.headline
Trade and invasive species in the Caribbean

# data[].attributes.subject
Trade and invasive species in the Caribbean

# data[].attributes.body
Another threat to the local Herpetofauna that is carried by exotic pets is foreign parasites. Many times unwanted pet released into the wild can spread these parasites to the local herpetofauna. [1]

A recent study in Greece revealed some individuals affected by the Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). [24]

Moreover, scientists have recently discovered that the signed-X tree frogs could be responsible of the safungal epidemic affecting and killing the local frog species (Eleutherodactylus pinchoni) in Guadeloupe.[25]

In Hungary the chytridiomycosis is a fungal infection which attacks amphibians. The species B. dendrobatidis is widespread now in Hungary, both in mountain and lowland areas. This fungus is most common on yellow-bellied toads and green frogs (Pelophylax spp). [26][27]

# data[].attributes.body
₍https://reptile-savvy.weebly.com/chytridiomycosis-in-amphibians.html₎

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/research/programmes/illegal-wildlife-trade

# data[].attributes.body
By Benny Trapp - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12560393

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.herpetofauna.gr/index.php?module=cats&page=read&id=70

# data[].attributes.body
© kseniya_elephas (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/13509857)

# data[].attributes.body
Reported as one of the species endangered by the illegal pet trading in Greece (accordind to Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation http://archipelago.gr/en/our-work/terrestrial-conservation/island-fauna/)

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.freshmarine.com/western-painted-turtles.html

# data[].attributes.body
One of the species most affected by the illegal pet trade in Greece (according to Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation)
"Watch an animation about this rare species. In Greece, the last population of this species still survives in Samos Island.This is presented through the research work and conservation efforts of Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation.
www.archipelago.gr"

# data[].attributes.body
Under Greek law (Presidential Decree 67/1981), the Balkan Terrapin (Mauremys rivulata) is a protected species.
Reported as one of the species endangered by the illegal pet trading in Greece (accordind to Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation http://archipelago.gr/en/our-work/terrestrial-conservation/island-fauna/)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Taking on Turtle Egg Poaching With Fake Eggs

# data[].attributes.body
Iguana delicatissima is an endemic species of the Lesser Antilles and is classified in danger on the IUCN Red List.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguana_delicatissima

# data[].attributes.body
Its arrival in Guadeloupe dates from the 1960s and it is now the main threat to Iguana delicatissima.
https://www.terresacree.org/actualites/1643/actualite-face-a-l-invasion-des-exportations-de-viande-d-iguane-vert-95722

# data[].attributes.body
© D. Massemin

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.tortuesmarinesguadeloupe.org/portfolio-item/tortue-verte/

# data[].attributes.headline
Chameleo africanus ("Pylos chameleo")- Alien species introduced in Greece a long time ago and now a protected species  endagered by illegal pet trading.

# data[].attributes.subject
Chameleo africanus ("Pylos chameleo")- Alien species introduced in Greece a long time ago and now a protected species  endagered by illegal pet trading.

# data[].attributes.body
Watch the video (in greek)  on the efforts to protect this chameleo (by the Hellenic Ornithological Society ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcws1oFJY6s

And another video about the Pylos chameleon -in greek- here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bg3LSlDYuM

# data[].attributes.body
©https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh_frog

# data[].attributes.body
© https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_Bullfrog_(Rana_catesbeiana)_(8741684912).jpg

# data[].attributes.body
introduced from Egypt

# data[].attributes.body
©2008 César L. Barrio Amoros

# data[].attributes.headline
Trade and invasive species in the Caribbean

# data[].attributes.subject
Trade and invasive species in the Caribbean

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/research/programmes/illegal-wildlife-trade

# data[].attributes.body
Right now keeping alien amphibians and reptiles as pets is becoming more and more popular and it is likely to increase in the future. Therefore, it is of significant importance to restrict pet trade and raise awareness to all amphibian and reptile keepers (children and adults), about the environmental and legal consequences of unauthorized introductions of their pets into the wild, both intentional and resulting from negligence. [4]

A few measures that should be taken are: better enforcement of existing rules, improvement partnership between source and consumer countries in dealing with wildlife trade (i.e. better control of the conditions in which the animals were living or captured), continuous enrichment of the CITES list of rare species, creation of marine protected areas, to improve the conservation of marine biodiversity and funding for NGOs.

According to the guiding principles adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD 2002) prevention is the priority response as well as early detection. If prevention efforts fail, it is vital to early detect the aliens and if feasible, eradicate invasive aliens.[28] A good example, was the collecting of red-eared sliders from the Feneketlen-tó - a lake in the heart of Budapest. This program was the joint action of Főkert Zrt. (a nonprofit company responsible for gardening works in Budapest), the Amphibian and Reptile Protection Department of Birdlife Hungary, and the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden.[29] The captured red-eared sliders were brought to the zoo, which might encourages people to give away their non-wanted pets to the zoo as well or at least to another adequate and professional care instead releasing more into the wild. In Russia, conservation societies, zoos and museums expel special exhibitions devoted to the illegal trade in wildlife species, including reptiles, which have fallen into the hands of smugglers.

In conclusion, the most effective way is to prevent the spread of alien species by controlling trade and by acting while populations are still local and small. However, in order to achieve that, actions must involve communication with the public (such as informative campaigns) combined with longer-term educational programs.[4]

# data[].attributes.body
The global trade of some reptile and amphibian species is considered the second largest threat to their survival. Demand for specific and rare species stimulates illegal harvesting and trade.[1] From 1980 to1990 there was an explosion in the popularity of reptiles as pets. This has had a lasting impact as reptiles are some of the most sought-after exotic pets today. In the early 1990s the value of legal wildlife products imported globally was around 160 billion. By 2009, this had more than doubled to over 323 billion.[2] In 2005, EU was the top global importer of live reptiles (valued at €7 million), while between 2004 and 2014 EU member states officially reported the import of 20,788,747 live reptiles. [1]

With the number of threatened species to increase, the protection and sustainable conservation of species became very important. In order to protect threatened species from illegal trading, prevent over-exploitation and ensure legal and sustainable trading, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was established in 1975. The CITES agreement has been signed by 183 states, including the EU. [3] But inspite of providing help to the protection of several species, CITES do not always protect animals from illegal trading. One of the ways that is used to trespass CITES regulations is to fraudulently label wild-captured animals as animals bred in captivity. Moreover, many other endangered reptiles that are on the global Red List have so far failed to access the CITES attachments. But such species are particularly in demand among collectors and can be bought legally and without much bureaucracy. [1]

Reptiles traded live across the world, are presumably destined for people’s homes or private zoos. TRAFFIC, the leading wildlife trade organization, now recognizes social media as the “new epicenter” for the trade in exotic pets[2]

These past few decades pet trade has led to the introduction of alien amphibians and reptiles worldwide, which resulted in many unauthorized deliberate releases and unintentional escapes. [4] The International Union for Conservation of Nature, (IUCN) describes invasive species as “animals, plants or other organisms introduced by man into places out of their natural range of distribution, where they become established and disperse, generating a negative impact on the local ecosystem and species.” Invasive alien species (IAS) have been shown to affect ecosystem functioning and native fauna via predation, competition and hybridization, diffusion of pathogens and habitat alteration. [5]

In the present report we focus on amphibian and reptiles’ pet trade (including information concerning illegal collections, invasive species and diseases) especially in the areas of Greece, Russia, Germany, Hungary and Guadeloupe.

# data[].attributes.body
How, if at all, might international pet trade damage the herpetofauna of your HerpetoArea? Consider in this context illegal collections, invasive species and diseases.

# data[].attributes.body
[1] Auliya, M., Ariano-sánchez, D., Brown, R. M., Auliya, M., Altherr, S., Ariano-sanchez, D., … Ziegler, T. (2016). Trade in live reptiles , its impact on wild populations , and the role of the European market Trade in live reptiles , its impact on wild populations , and the role of the European market. BIOC, 204(June), 103–119. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320716301987?via%3Dihub

[2] https://www.worldanimalprotection.us/news/brief-history-global-exotic-pet-trade
[3] https://www.cites.org/eng/disc/what.php
[4] Kark, S., Solarz, W., Chiron, F., Clergeau, P., & Shirley, S. (2009). Alien birds, amphibians and reptiles of Europe. In Handbook of alien species in Europe (pp. 105-118). Springer, Dordrecht.                                          https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4020-8280-1_8
[5] Simberloff, D., Martin, J. L., Genovesi, P., Maris, V., Wardle, D. A., Aronson, J., ... & Pyšek, P. (2013). Impacts of biological invasions: what's what and the way forward. Trends in ecology & evolution, 28(1), 58-66. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169534712001747
[6] https://wwf.ru/upload/iblock/f81/tovarovedenie.pdf
[7] http://www.mme.hu/keteltuek-es-hullok/hullok-bevezeto
[8] http://www.mme.hu/keteltuek-es-hullok/keteltuek-bevezeto
[9] http://www.mme.hu/khvsz/idegenhonos-keteltu-es-hullofajok
[10] http://www.guadeloupe-parcnational.fr/fr
[11] https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/research/programmes/illegal-wildlife-trade
[12] http://www.ypeka.gr/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=lkGCh8o5t8o%3D&tabid=518&language=el-GR
[13] https://wwf.ru/resources/news/bioraznoobrazie/v-internete-prodolzhaetsya-torgovlya-krasnoknizhnymi-zhivotnymi-/
[14]  http://www.ecohealthypets.com/browse_animals/reptiles/53-russian_tortoise

[15] http://www.tortuesmarinesguadeloupe.org/
[16]  Bräutigam, A. and Eckert, K.L. (2006). Turning the Tide: Exploitation, Trade and Management of Marine Turtles in the Lesser Antilles, Central America, Colombia and Venezuela. TRAFFIC International, Cambridge, UK.
[17] http://www.sevin.ru/top100worst/priortargets/Reptiles/scripta.html
[18] Adamopoulou, C., & Legakis, A. (2016). First account on the occurrence of selected invasive alien vertebrates in Greece. BioInvasions Records, 5(4), 189-196
https://elnais.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/BIR_2016_Adamopoulou_Legakis_correctedproof-1.pdf
[19] Polo-Cavia, N., López, P., & Martín, J. (2010). Competitive interactions during basking between native and invasive freshwater turtle species. Biological Invasions, 12(7), 2141-2152
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10530-009-9615-0
[20]https://mttmuzeum.blog.hu/2018/05/09/a_szabadsag_ara_idegenhonos_ekszerteknosok_magyarorszagon
[21] https://www.zoosos.gr/apo-ten-amerike-se-horaphi-tes-katerines/#axzz5iL4zbekY  (for English, there is a language selection option up and right)
[22] http://www.ypeka.gr/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=pP7hNCwyIcE%3D&tabid=518&language=el-GR
[23] http://www.sevin.ru/Top100Worst/priortargets/Amphibians/ridibundus.html
[24] Azmanis, P. N., Strachinis, I., Lymberakis, P., & Marschang, R. E. (2016). First detection of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytridium dendrobatidis) in free-living anuran populations in Greece. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society, 67(4), 253-258. ISO 690 https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/jhvms/article/view/15647
[25] Breuil, M. and Ibéné, B. (2005). Les hylides invasifs dans les Antilles françaises et le peuplement batrachologique naturel. Bulletin de la Société Herpétologique de France.
[26] http://greenfo.hu/hirek/2013/08/29/a-gombakor-oli-a-magyar-bekakat-is
[27] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_frog
[28] CBD Convention on Biological Diversity (2002) Decision VI/23 Alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species. The Conference of the Parties.
[29] https://www.fokert.hu/folytatodik-a-teknosmentes-a-feneketlen-tonal/