Exported illegally, threatened locally : South Africa in the global reptile pet trade

Abstract

The global illegal exotic pet trade is a major driver of biodiversity loss, particularly affecting reptile species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II. CITES is an international agreement used to monitor the import and export of listed fauna and flora, ensuring trade is not detrimental to the survival of listed species in the wild. This study investigates South Africa’s role in the international trade of reptiles, using the endemic Sungazer lizard (Smaug giganteus) as a case study. Analysis of CITES Trade Database records reveals systemic reporting in accuracies, including discrepancies between importer and exporter data, misuse of source and purpose codes, and evidence of wildlife laundering. Trade peaks in 1988 and 2013 correspond to increased species visibility due to CITES listing and cultural associations with popular media, respectively, illustrating the influence of anthropogenic and media-driven factors on global wildlife trade demand. Evidence of potentially illegal exports from non-range countries and suspicious declarations of captive-bred specimens suggests that South Africa may be both a source and transit country in illicit reptile trade networks. The lack of enforcement, coupled with the ease of smuggling, exacerbates the threat to S. giganteus and similar threatened reptile species. These findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen CITES data reliability, enforce trade regulations, and enhance protection for South African reptile species vulnerable to overexploitation.