Summary:
A recent study led by Reshu Bashyal from the NGO Greenhood Nepal reveals that Nepal's illegal exotic pet trade is moving from physical markets to digital platforms due to widespread smartphone use, social media, and online payment systems. Traditionally a source and transit country for wildlife trafficking, Nepal might now be becoming a destination as well, driven by economic growth and better connectivity in South Asia.

Key points:

• The research, ongoing since October 2022, surveyed news, social media, enforcement agencies, and conducted market surveys and interviews.
• Nearly three-quarters of Nepali adults use smartphones; half are on Facebook, with popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Viber widely used. Mobile banking users rose to 24.65 million in fiscal year 2023-2024.
• Birds (both native and exotic) and reptiles are among the most traded species. Native birds include near-threatened Alexandrine parakeet and critically endangered yellow-breasted bunting; exotic birds include Gouldian finches, cockatiels, scarlet macaws, and Java sparrows.
• Reptiles include Indian star tortoise, red-eared slider, Indian roofed turtle, spotted pond turtle, tokay gecko, ball python, and iguanas.
• Large mammals like chital deer, sambar deer, Indian crested porcupines, red pandas, pangolins, sloth bears, wild boars, and even Asian elephants are also trafficked.
• Enforcement is challenged by the digital shift; while illegal trade has moved online, this shift also reflects increased public awareness making open physical trade harder.
• Nepal’s laws impose penalties for unauthorized wildlife handling but lack clear standards for permissible pet trade under CITES regulations.
• Online markets and informal mobile vendors operate across Nepal; hundreds of animals can be traded in single transactions.
• Key trade hubs in Nepal include Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Pokhara, and Chitwan; Patna in India is a major supply hub due to open borders.
• Wildlife is sourced from countries like Indonesia, Australia, Japan, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Bangladesh; exports go to China, Pakistan, Vietnam, and India.
• Transport includes air freight and trading of eggs hatched in captivity.
• Experts say the shift online poses new challenges but also shows law enforcement successes since open trade is harder.

Archive: https://archive.md/bEvj8