Biodiv Sci ›› 2017, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (10): 1137-1143.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2017177

• Forum • Previous Articles    

Investigation of the current trade situation of alien vertebrate species in China and analysis of corresponding management strategies

Meng Meng1,2, Jianzhang Ma1,*(), Feng Yin2, Wenhui Chen3, Jianwei Ji4   

  1. 1 College of Wildlife Resources, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040
    2 China Wildlife Conservation Association, Beijing 100714
    3 School of Economics & Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083;
    4 Beijing Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Center, Beijing, 100029;
  • Received:2017-06-13 Accepted:2017-10-20 Online:2017-10-20 Published:2018-05-05
  • Contact: Ma Jianzhang

Abstract:

This research surveyed the current situation on the trade of alien species in pet markets in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, and Harbin, in order to systematically understand the trade scale, to prevent the ecological disasters with alien species, and to develop effective management policies. The investigation was undertaken in 20 pet markets in five cities using the key survey and on-the-spot investigation methods. Results are as follows: (1) 96 alien wildlife species were recorded, among which 29 were threatened species, accounting for 30%, and 35 were CITES Appendix species, accounting for 36%. (2) The highest number of alien species and IUCN red listed species were found in Beijing. However, the greatest number of species found in the local survey and the number of species included in CITES Appendix I / II were found in Guangzhou. (3) The trade volume of 41% of species and 61% of CITES Appendix species were less than 10. (4) The trade prices of 45% of species were between 100 and 1,000 RMB, which was the acceptable price range for most consumers. According to this study, important measures must be undertaken to strengthen trade supervision, combat illegal trade, regulate behavior of animal releasing, and raise public awareness on controlling the trade of alien wildlife in Chinese pet markets.

Key words: wildlife, alien species, trade type, trade scale, trade price