The CSA in collaboration with MONITOR Conservation Research Society, the IUCN Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP) convened a workshop with 26 participants on “Investigating patterns of international wildlife trade in ASAP species” at the Conservation Planning Specialist Group Annual meeting, 18-21 October, 2018, in Bangkok, Thailand.

The working group investigated patterns of commercial trade in species of the Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP) listed in one of the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Chris R. Shepherd from the MONITOR Conservation Society highlighted that commercial breeding for the trade should not be confused with conservation breeding, as the goal is not to reduce the pressure on wild populations. Bogus captive breeding is becoming increasingly common and facilitates the illegal trade of rare species from Southeast Asia.

The working group discussed several case studies to discuss the issues of bogus captive breeding and on how to raise awareness for the legal sourcing in the zoological community.

Read the full working group report here.