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Hongkongers Support Stricter Controls, as City Dominates Global Trade in Threatened Species

Posted on 5 September 2023

Nearly 80% of respondents believe Hong Kong’s pet trade regulations should be tightened

6 Sep, 2023, Hong Kong – As Hong Kong has grown to dominate international trade in a range of exotic animals, a survey of local residents reveals concerns about the prevalence of threatened species.

Globally, wildlife populations have declined by 69% since 1970, according to WWF’s Living Planet Report. The wholesale extraction of animals from natural ecosystems to meet the demands of the exotic pet industry is a significant contributor to these declines. According to ADM Capital Foundation (ADMCF), between 2015 and 2021, the city imported at least 5.2 million exotic animals, drawn from over 760 species of reptiles, birds, mammals, amphibians and arthropods. Over this period Hong Kong led the global trade in endangered reptiles.

“Of the millions of exotic animals imported into the city, nearly half are from species facing extinction in the wild,” said Prof Sung Yik Hei, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Science Unit of Lingnan University. He added that “Hong Kong is the last remaining stronghold for several species in trade, which could disappear within a matter of years. Despite our impact on wildlife, both at home and abroad, we are not acting fast enough or providing sufficient safeguards for endangered animals we are plundering from the wild.”

“As the leading importer of many species of live exotics, arriving from over 90 countries, Hong Kong has a responsibility to the global community to ensure that the trade is not only sustainable, but also safe and includes only suitable species,” said Sophie le Clue, CEO of ADMCF.

Commissioned by WWF-Hong Kong and ADMCF, the survey found that respondents had strong concerns about the impacts of the trade. At least 56% thought that keeping exotics pets has contributed to the risk of extinction of wild species and just 12% felt that keeping threatened species as a pet was acceptable.

Respondents also expressed a desire for more information from the Government. Only 5% felt familiar with the regulations. More than 85% expressed support for efforts to develop and standardise information on husbandry/care and animal welfare, as well as providing lists of qualified veterinarians and pet shops, which could be shared with exotic pet owners.

These concerns are well-founded and important in the context of the exotic pet trade. A patchwork of at least seven ordinances governs the trade. These can be challenging to understand and have loopholes. Government guidance for pet owners and traders is sparse, in many instances providing for the bare minimum, despite the complex husbandry need of exotic animals.

Around half of respondents viewed the current regulations related to the pet trade as lenient and a majority expressed support for tightening them. 80% of respondents supported restrictions on the trade of certain species of exotic pets and 89% agreed that documentation confirming legality of threatened species should be required ahead of a purchase.

"The absence of stringent biosecurity measures exposes animals, humans, and the environment to the spread and impact of infectious diseases,” said Dr Bosco Chan, Conservation Director of WWF-Hong Kong. He continued, noting “It is essential that existing and prospective exotic pet owners have sufficient information to make informed decisions” and encouraged everyone to “think twice before acquiring an exotic pet.”

WWF-Hong Kong and ADMCF urge the government to take steps to enhance regulation of the trade and promote public awareness of its complexities. To develop a responsible, sustainable trade in exotic animals that protects animals and their ecosystems. Recommended actions include:

Establishing a list of exotic pets that are either explicitly permitted or prohibited to be imported, sold or owned in Hong Kong.
Enhancing traceability to better understand supply chains and what is happening to exotics in the city.
Introducing schemes to positively incentivise the trade to improve practices.

A promotional video has been created jointly to draw attention to concerns about the exotic pet trade and to serve as a reminder that exotics are born for the wild, not for our homes. It sheds light on various exotic animals, such as the African grey parrot, sugar glider, green iguana, scorpion, and African spurred tortoise, which are emblematic of various issues in Hong Kong. The video is being screened in MTR stations, a theme park and shopping malls, including the following:

Mong Kok, Prince Edward and Yau Ma Tei MTR: 18-31^st August
Langham Mall: 4-17^th September
Festival Walk: 17-30^th August
Plaza Hollywood: 21^stAugust - 3^rd September
Noah’s Ark Hong Kong: 24^th August onwards

Sam Inglis, Wildlife Programme Manager, ADM Capital Foundation / Christie Wong, Wildlife Programme Officer, ADM Capital Foundation / Dr Bosco Chan, Conservation Director, WWF-Hong Kong

Endangered African Grey Parrot

Blue-and-gold Macaw

Green iguana

Green iguana has been regarded as an invasive species in many places

On Tung Choi Street (Goldfish Market) there are shops selling endangered African Spurred Tortoises.

On Tung Choi Street (Goldfish Market) there are shops selling endangered Java Sparrows.

There are many species of parrots for sale at Yuen Po Street Bird Garden (Bird Market).

ADMCF and WWF jointly created a promotional video to draw attention to concerns about the exotic pet trade. The video is being screened in MTR stations, a theme park and shopping malls.

Download

Appendix I - Survey on Exotic Pet Trade in Hong Kong

PDF

81 KB

Appendix II - Information on 5 species of exotic animals

PDF

6.50 MB

Hongkongers Support Stricter Controls, as City Dominates Global Trade in Threatened Species

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