Why is exotic pet trade important?
Every great biologist, naturalist, animal author and zoo curator started out by keeping animals as pets. It is such people that go on to study animals and become leading conservationists and educators. While reading, travel, and zoo visits are important, nothing inspires one to further efforts as does actually caring for an animal in captivity. Rare creatures ranging from red-kneed tarantulas to black-footed ferrets have been rescued from extinction by techniques that were first discovered by people keeping exotic pets. Zoos simply do not have the space and resources to study and breed the multitudes of creatures that are faced with extinction in the wild. The massive wave of amphibian extinctions that has recently swept across all continents and what has been labeled the “Asian Turtle Crisis” have forced professional conservationists to rely upon serious hobbyists for assistance in providing homes to creatures in need of protection. Experienced pet keepers have also been called upon t
