Threatened - Illegal pet trade puts J'can species at risk

Offenders face long prison sentence, big fine

BY PETRE WILLIAMS-RAYNOR Environment editor williamsp@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

THERE is growing concern over the illegal trade in exotic pets, which puts local endemic species at risk of disease and extinction.

"Though it is not possible to accurately quantify, the (National Environment and Planning) Agency (NEPA) has been receiving increasing reports of the illegal importation of animals. Our intelligence points to the movement of endangered and other exotic animals through the island's sea and airports," Natalie Fearon, NEPA's manager for public relations told Environment Watch.

"The intelligence also suggests that Jamaica is a trans-shipment point for the trade in animals from South and Central America," she added.

Among the specific concerns associated with the trade in the various species -- including the Jamaican Boa (yellow snake) and the Yellow and Black-billed parrots, in addition to a variety of foreign species of monkeys and birds -- is the possibility of disease.

"Illegally imported animals threaten Jamaica's local species and livestock as many are carriers of diseases and are a potential danger to public health," Fearon said. "Ebola, monkey pox, tuberculosis, SARS and rabies are just some of the diseases that illegally imported animals may carry. These could be easily spread to humans who handle the animals. The risks are grave and potentially far-reaching."

She was quick to point out that Jamaica is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and as such has obligations to observe the requirements of the convention.

"Further, many of these animals may compete with our own for food and space and could threaten the existence of our own endemic species," noted Fearon.

It was not clear how much the trade in illegal trade in exotic pets is worth locally, but Fearon said internationally it is worth an estimated US$6 million.

Environmental lobbyists are themselves concerned by the illegal pet trade.

"I want the native species to be protected. I don't think there should be any trade in our indigenous species. And even their use in so-called attractions, I think it is really counter productive to the conservation effort. It seems to suggest that it is OK to have parrots and things in a cage," said Wendy Lee, who operates the Seven Oaks Wildlife Sanctuary, a rescue centre in St Ann.

"With respect to the exotics, I don't agree in allowing the importation of exotic species as pets. With respect to birds that are already here, there are a lot of factors to consider. Some effort should be made to have an inventory of the species the pet shops are selling, especially when it comes to the reptiles. I think they are more of a threat than we realise," added Lee, who is also executive director of the Northern Jamaican Conservation Association.

NEPA is now moving to crack down on the trade through collaboration with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Veterinary Services Division, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Environment Management Division (Office of the Prime Minister), Jamaica Constabulary Force, and the Jamaica Defence Force.

At a meeting in February, Fearon said they took the decision to:

* implement a public awareness programme;

* increase monitoring of the ports and Jamaica's territorial waters as well as the search of vessels/containers on board vessels at sea, ports and wharves;

* inform the CITES Secretariat about the illegal operation for a notification, Illegal Trade Alert to be sent to all countries in Central America and South America;

* include pet stores as a category in the Natural Resources Conservation Authority's Permit and Licence System in order to bring them under regulatory control; and

* publicise information on seizures and confiscation and procedures for handling seized specimens.

They also intend to undertake a comprehensive veterinary and behavioural screening test of all confiscated animals.

"To date, the agency has undertaken the awareness campaign which includes, radio and print advertising. Efforts are also being made to target private veterinarian and pet shops," Fearon told Environment Watch.

It was not immediately clear how many people had been imprisoned for illegally trading species, whether local or foreign.

However, the Endangered Species (Protection, Conservation and Regulation of Trade) Act of 2000 prescribes very strict penalties for anyone who illegally trades in endangered species.

Under section 20 of the legislation, anyone who trades in endangered species without the requisite certificate or permit is liable to pay a fine of up to $200,000 and/or face imprisonment of up to two years as a first offender. Should the matter go before the Circuit Court, then he/she is faces up to 10 years in prison and is subject to a fine set at the discretion of a High Court judge.

"Where the importation of animals under the Endangered Species (Protection, Conservation and Regulation of Trade) Act is concerned, the relevant CITES permits or certificates are required. An Environmental Permit under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act is also required for the first time introduction of species of flora and fauna and genetic material. In addition, an import permit from the Veterinary Services Division is always required under the Animal Disease and Importation Act," noted Fearon.

Black-billed parrot cap:

The Black-billed parrot is among the most frequently traded endemic species. (Photo: NEPA)

Leatherback turtle cap:

The Leatherback sea turtle is numbered among the species traded illegally in Jamaica. (Photos: NEPA)

American crocodile cap:

The American Crocodile is one of those species that is kept as a pet in Jamaica or otherwise held captive in attractions.

Jamaican Boa cap:

The Jamaican Boa, otherwise called the yellow snake, is sometimes kept as a pet on the island -- when it's not being hunted or killed out of fear or for consumption.

Wendy Lee cap:

LEE... even their use in so-called attractions, I think it is really counter productive to the conservation effort (File photo)

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