ENV receives multiple reports from members of the public seeing macaques, turtles, otters, birds and other species at residences, business establishments, and online, resulting in their confiscation and, in some cases, punishment for the seller. This shows the public to be increasingly aware that wildlife should not be kept as pets, as well as motivated to do something about it by making a report to ENV.
In 2021, there were 132 macaques, 574 turtles and tortoises, 150 snakes and 10 otters confiscated or voluntarily transferred from the illegal wildlife trade. Online selling of wildlife contributes significantly to the illegal and exotic pet trade, with ENV handling 2,486 internet crime cases last year. The trade keeps growing and adapting, with online sellers finding new and more inventive ways to evade detection each time they are caught. They must be deterred by lack of demand and too high a risk of punishment.
Help spread the word: wild animals aren’t pets!