By Sebastian Chekunov and Phill Cassey, University of
ADELAIDE: Trade in “exotic” pets from foreign countries is a global multibillion-dollar industry. Australian species are highly sought after.
Australia banned the commercial export of all live native animals in 1982. But once wildlife is taken out of the country, these laws no longer apply. Many species can be legally traded without restrictions once they are beyond our borders.
In our new research, we found 163 Australian reptile species and seven frogs traded as pets overseas. That’s more than one in six (16%) of all Australian reptile species – and around 3% of Australian frogs.(PTI)
