Chinese authorities are considering changes to wildlife trade regulations that govern the live trade in 18 parrot and reptile species, several of which are gravely threatened by poaching and illegal trade. The proposals involve the implementation of a “special marking system” of ID tags on bird leg rings or microchips inserted in reptiles to enable authorities to better regulate and trace the country’s extensive wildlife breeding industry. However, the plans have drawn criticism from conservation groups, who say that without proper oversight, the marking system could result in a sudden spike in demand for the affected species and the emergence of an unregulated pet trade, ultimately undermining hard-won conservation gains both within and beyond the country’s borders. Previously, China’s “special marking system” was only applied to high-risk animal products, such as pangolin scales, used in traditional medicine. But moves began toward a marking system for live animals in May 2022. All 18 species in the proposals are protected under the Wildlife Protection Law, China’s main piece of legislation covering wildlife conservation and trade. However, these rules have long attracted controversy because they endorse so-called “utilisation” of wildlife as well as its protection. The marking system species include the endangered African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus) and critically endangered radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), both of which are included in Appendix I of CITES, the global convention regulating the wildlife trade, due to their severe vulnerability to trafficking. The African gray parrot has largely disappeared from its natural range across Central and West…This article was originally published on Mongabay
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