Some of the species traded are exotic, posing huge threats to Vietnam’s biodiversity if released into nature, where they compete with native species, and in many cases, result in harmful and negative long-term effects on the ecosystem.
In 2023 alone, ENV recorded 3,595 wildlife crime cases, hundreds of which involved wildlife being sold or being kept as pets. A total of 2,514 wild animals including endangered species such as lorises, marine turtles, freshwater turtles and tortoises, otters and gibbons have been rescued from the pet trade in 2023. However, ENV predicts that the illegal pet trade of wildlife will continue to grow in Vietnam over the next few years.