Captivity and Trade Policy

• Impacts on wild populations through collection;

• Further encouragement of trade and collection through promoting keeping in captivity;

• Impacts on wild populations through the release of non-native species to the wild;

• The transfer of diseases to wild animals;

• Public perception, understanding and appreciation of herpetofauna and wildlife conservation;

• Where information is inadequate in making such assessments, the Trust supports the application of the precautionary principle to ensure harm to conservation status is avoided.

In addition to any impacts on conservation, the Trust would encourage the pursuit of best practice, good husbandry and high standards of animal welfare wherever amphibians and reptiles are kept in captivity. A positive attitude to captive animals also promotes a positive view towards those in the wild.

A number of species of amphibian and reptile are protected by national and international legislation (for example the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and CITES) that controls trade and keeping in captivity. The HCT supports the effective implementation of this legislation.

(1) Keeping amphibians and reptiles in captivity

• The HCT recognises that there can be educational and conservation benefits from the responsible keeping of amphibians and reptiles under good conditions. These benefits include stimulating the interest in and appreciation of these animals (leading to a greater interest in conservation), and the captive breeding of species where these are part of formal conservation programmes and working to agreed criteria.

• Keeping animals in captivity can pose problems to wild populations through (i) inappropriate collection of animals (ii) increasing the risks of spreading diseases (especially where animals are later released in to the wild at different locations from the site of capture or after exposure to pathogens in the captive environment) or (iii) release to the wild of non-local species or genotypes.

• Amphibians and reptiles suitable for keeping in captivity may include:

(a) Captive-bred animals obtained directly from breeders or indirectly via reputable dealers.

(b) Animals held for bona-fide captive breeding programmes by approved keepers in accordance with criteria and protocols that are established as part of an approved national conservation plan.

(c) Widespread species caught in the wild, provided that: (i) the capture is lawful and with the consent of the landowner; (ii) numbers are small and their removal does not endanger the source population; (iii) the animals are not sold on or released back to an inappropriate sites; (iv) any import or transportation of the animals meets necessary welfare, legislative and licensing requirements;

(d) Species taken from the wild from areas where they are not native and, particularly, where this removal provides a conservation benefit

• The HCT discourages the keeping of amphibians and reptiles by those without the facilities, time, financial means or level of knowledge sufficient to ensure a high standard of care

(2) Trade in amphibians and reptiles

• The HCT opposes any form of trade where there is a risk of a negative impact, whether directly or indirectly, on the conservation status of wild populations of amphibians and reptiles.

• The HCT promotes safeguards, including through policy and legislation, to prevent inappropriate trade with a view to conserving herpetofauna species in the UK and elsewhere in the World.

• The Trust strongly opposes any trade where it is forbidden by any legislation or agreement or where controls/ restrictions are breached.

• The Trust does not oppose trade of legally held captive-bred animals providing there is a high standard of care in all the production, transport and sale activities and that this is in full compliance with conservation, welfare and other legislation.