Media release

From: The University of Melbourne

Global footprint of wildlife trade highlights biodiversity threats

New research has shed light on the vast and largely unmonitored trade of wildlife around the world, revealing alarming threats to biosecurity and the survival of many species.

Despite common misconceptions, the legal trade of wildlife accounts for ten times the value of illegal trade, with an estimated value of US$360 billion annually.

The study, published in Current Biology and led by University of Melbourne Professor Alice Hughes, explored two decades worth of global wildlife trade networks into the United States, focusing on where species came from, in what quantities and and trade route patterns.

Professor Hughes, from the School of Biosciences, said it was alarming that a significant proportion of species still originate from the wild.

“Our findings show that not only do large numbers of species still get taken from their native environments and traded, but there are also clear issues of data misinformation and blatant laundering or trafficking,” Professor Hughes said.

“We think the number of animal species in trade is likely over 70,000, but we can’t be sure due to the lack of monitoring and that is an enormous problem in itself.”

Despite the massive volume of global trade, Professor Hughes said data is incredibly difficult to find and what does exist is rife with discrepancies.

“It means that the true scope of the impact of wildlife trade on wild populations remains largely unknown,” she said.

“Understanding what animals are being traded, in what volumes and where they are coming from are the first steps to being able to gauge if that trade is sustainable, and to enable focused efforts on species where trade may be threatening their survival.”

In a previous study, the researchers found that more than 21,000 animal species have been traded in the USA alone since 2000.

Tropical regions were found to export the widest range of wild species and rare and newly described species, such as cave geckos, were in the high demand. Furthermore, collectors often used scientific descriptions to quickly bring new species into the market, with many species appearing in trade the same year they are described.

The researchers state that animal trade also brings significant biosecurity risks, such as importing pests and pathogens and species that could become invasive.

“A clear example of this is the international trade of Xenopus frogs which were likely responsible for the spread of Chytrid – a deadly fungal disease which has contributed to the extinction of multiple frog species, including at least seven in Australia,” Professor Hughes said.

“We clearly need to do more to ensure that we better monitor trade, and that starts with better data and collaboration between scientists, government agencies, businesses that sell wildlife, and consumers who drive demand.

“With no way to say what animals are in trade and if this trade is sustainable, we are potentially driving many species towards extinction in plain sight.”

This work was conducted in collaboration with researchers from universities and research institutions across the United States, Europe, South America and Australia, including the University of Glasgow, University of Lisbon, University of Adelaide, University of Turku, and others.