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Home , Boiga cynodon, Chinese pond turtle, Chrysopelea paradisi, Coelognathus, Gonocephalus, Gonyosoma oxycephalum

S H O R T R E P O R T

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A rapid online survey was undertaken EHWZHHQDQG)HEUXDU\ GD\V DSSUR[LPDWHO\KRXUVVXUYH\GD\ RQ pre-selected Facebook groups specializing in the trade of live pets. Ten groups each for and were selected based on trading activities in the previous six months. The survey was carried out during ZHHN GD\V 0RQGD\ WR )ULGD\  E\ JRLQJ through each advertisement posted in A rapid survey of online trade in the groups. Information, including that live birds and reptiles in the relating to , quantity, and asking SULFH ZDV QRWHG 6SHFLHV ZHUH LGHQWL¿HG Report by Cristine P. Canlas, Emerson Y. Sy, to the lowest taxonomic level whenever and Serene Chng possible. follows Gill and 'RQVNHU   IRU ELUGV DQG 8HW] et al.  IRUUHSWLOHV7KHDXWKRUVFDOFXODWHG ,ඇඍඋඈൽඎർඍංඈඇ WKH WRWDO SRWHQWLDO YDOXH R൵HUHG IRU ELUGV and reptiles based on prices indicated he Philippines is the second largest archipelago in the world by traders. Advertisements that did not comprising 7641 islands and is both a mega-biodiverse specify prices were assigned the lowest country for harbouring wildlife species found nowhere known price for each taxon. Valuations in else in the world, and one of eight biodiversity hotspots this report were based on a conversion rate

having a disproportionate number of species threatened with RI86' 3+3 $QRQ ,WLV WOY WWF / URS PUSTULATUS HYDROSAURUS ,//8675$7,213+,/,33,1(6$,/),1/,=$5' TH[WLQFWLRQIXUWKHULWKDVVRPHRIWKHKLJKHVWUDWHVRIHQGHPLFLW\LQWKH not always possible during online surveys world (Myers et al 7KHLOOHJDOZLOGOLIHWUDGHLVRQHRIWKHPDLQ WRYHULI\WKDWDOOR൵HUVDUHJHQXLQH UHDVRQVEHKLQGVLJQL¿FDQWGHFOLQHVRIVRPHZLOGOLIHSRSXODWLRQVLQ$VLD LQFOXGLQJWKH3KLOLSSLQHV $QRQ6RGKLet al1LMPDQDQG 5ൾඌඎඅඍඌ 6KHSKHUG'LHVPRVet al5DRet al 7KHWildlife Act of 2001 (Republic Act No. 9147 SURYLGHVOHJDOSURWHFWLRQIURPWUDGHWR Researchers recorded a total of 700 all native and non-native species in the Philippines, but in spite of the advertisements involving 100 taxa (birds existing national regulatory safeguards, covert illegal wildlife trade is UHSWLOHV   7DEOH± DQG ZLGHVSUHDG 6\D6\LQSUHVV  live individuals posted in February 2017 Online commerce and networking platforms are emerging as the by 494 unique Facebook traders’ accounts SUHIHUUHGDOWHUQDWLYHVWRSK\VLFDOPDUNHWVIRUWUDGHLQLOOHJDOZLOGOLIH 7DEOH   7UDGHUV VHHPHG WR VSHFLDOL]H studies have been conducted to examine the prevalence of wildlife LQWKHLUVSHFL¿FIDXQDOJURXSDVRQO\RQH trade occurring in the popular social media site Facebook (Chng and WUDGHUZDVGRFXPHQWHGWRR൵HUERWKELUGV %RXKX\V6\E.ULVKQDVDP\DQG6WRQHU1JX\HQDQG and reptiles. All information collected that :LOOHPVHQ6\LQSUHVV 6XFKDVWXG\KDVQRW\HWEHHQFRQGXFWHG might indicate illegal activity was shared for birds in the Philippines and this survey was therefore carried out to with relevant wildlife authorities and with provide a snapshot of online and trade in a given month in Facebook for follow-up action. the Philippines.

Bird Reptile Total

$GYHUWLVHPHQW    7D[RQ    0LQLPXPQXPEHURILQGLYLGXDOVDGYHUWLVHG    1XPEHURIXQLTXHWUDGHUV    $GYHUWLVHPHQWVZLWKSULFH    $GYHUWLVHPHQWVZLWKRXWSULFH    0LQLPXPSRWHQWLDOYDOXHLQ3+3    0LQLPXPSRWHQWLDOYDOXHLQ86'   

Table 1. Live birds and reptiles offered for sale in February 2017 in 20 pre-selected Philippines Facebook groups. *One trader offered both birds and reptiles.

58 TRAFFIC Bulletin 9RO1R  S H O R T R E P O R T

BIRDS Also of particular interest are the birds of prey, comprising Strigiformes, Accipitriformes, and Falcon­ A total of 288 unique Facebook traders’ accounts posted iformes. Although only a small number were traded 422 advertisements representing 49 taxa and 1166 online (18 individuals of eight species), these were all birds. Approximately 98% of the advertised birds were native and some endemic, and included the endemic juveniles; many were fledglings, but some were nestlings. Philippine Hawk-eagle offered for PHP15 000 (USD299) Their minimum potential value, if sold, was estimated to by one trader. The authors have observed a recent surge in be PHP4734 570 (USD94 342). (Psittaciformes) interest in the trade in raptor nestlings, used particularly were the most traded taxa, with 1042 individuals of for free-flying activities by private enthusiasts, and it is 23 species recorded. The Convention on International likely that an additional underground market exists offline. Trade in of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I-listed Palm Cockatoo Probosciger REPTILES aterrimus, a non-native species, was the most expensive bird documented in this study, with an asking price of A total of 207 unique Facebook traders’ accounts posted PHP137 000 (USD2730). 278 advertisements representing 51 taxa, representing 457 individual reptiles (Table 1). This comprised 13 Non-native Birds species (189 individuals), 20 species (182), The trade in non-native birds dominated trade, 17 chelonian species (84), and one crocodilian species representing 97% all birds offered for sale at a minimum (2) (Table 3). In terms of species composition, 34 were of 1130 individuals. These originated from 34 species non-native (333 individuals; 73%), six were native of the 49 bird taxa recorded. Consequently, the top ten (74; 16%), and 11 were endemic taxa (50; 11%). The most traded birds, representing 1002 individuals (86%), minimum potential value of traded reptiles in the study were all non-native species and commonly kept and bred period was PHP2 759 699 (USD54 991) (Table 1). The in captivity to supply the pet trade. For all other non- most expensive reptile offered for sale was the Asian native species advertised, the authors deduce that some Giant (one individual) with an are being bred in registered Philippine commercial asking price of PHP300 000 (USD5979). breeding facilities or by unregistered private breeders, The top ten most traded reptile taxa represented 347 or wild-caught and smuggled in, especially where individuals or 76% of the total quantity (Table 3). Of advertised birds were in poor condition. It is a common these, seven taxa (268 individuals) were non-native, but practice of registered commercial farms to buy illegally commonly bred in commercial quantities, while three from unregistered breeders/smugglers and declare such taxa (78) were native/endemic. wildlife individuals as part of the farms’ legal production. Five species recorded have been assessed as Non-native Reptiles Threatened or Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List One Critically Endangered and CITES Appendix I-listed (Table 2). Two species, Grey Psittacus erithacus species—the Radiated Tortoise radiata— (42 individuals) and Palm Cockatoo (four individuals), was observed for sale. Although a few enthusiasts were are both listed in CITES Appendix I, which means that granted an amnesty for wildlife obtained illegally during international commercial trade in wild specimens is the initial implementation stage of the Wildlife Act in prohibited. While Grey Parrots are bred extensively in 2004–2005 (Sy, in press), the four juvenile Radiated captivity by aviculturalists internationally, including in the observed for sale were most likely recently Philippines, the Palm Cockatoos in the market are most smuggled into the Philippines since no importations of likely wild-caught and smuggled (Sy, 2010). Another 789 this species have been permitted since the Philippines individuals of 16 species are listed in CITES Appendix II, became a Party to CITES in 1981 (Sy, 2015b). The which means their trade is regulated (Table 2). species has also been observed to be traded online in other countries in the region such as , , and Native and Endemic Birds (Nijman and Shepherd, 2007; Krishnasamy Only 3% of the number of birds advertised for sale and Stoner, 2016; Morgan, in review). Three species were native (15 species), but these are of potential assessed by IUCN as Endangered were observed for conservation concern as seven species are endemic to sale, namely, Asian Giant Tortoise, Chinese Pond the Philippines; two species assessed by IUCN as being reevesii, and Chinese Stripe-necked Turtle of conservation concern are the Philippine Hawk-eagle M. sinensis. While there is no legal import record for Nisaetus philippensis (Endangered) and the the Chinese Pond Turtle and Chinese Stripe-necked Scops Otus longicornis (Near Threatened). It is Turtle from 2000–2016 (CITES trade database; BMB, suspected that all native and endemic birds advertised unpubl. data), both species are commonly available in are sourced from the wild, based on the fact that there the physical markets and are being smuggled regularly are no commercial captive breeding operations for these by the hundreds in legal shipments of ornamental fish species. Furthermore, the photographs posted online (Sy, 2015a; Sy, unpubl. data). show birds that are in poor condition and many of these species can be easily trapped or collected from nests. Native and Endemic Reptiles Some traders are also reported to have the capacity to As is the case with the bird species, most if not all of ship illegal wildlife nationwide and even smuggle native the native and endemic reptile species being offered for species out of the country (Agence France-Presse, 2016). sale were likely sourced illegally from the wild. Some

TRAFFIC Bulletin Vol. 29 No. 2 (2017) 59

TRAFFIC Bulletin 29(2) 1 November 2017 FINAL.indd 21 11/7/2017 9:54:44 AM S H O R T R E P O R T

Taxon # Individuals CITES / Native (A), IUCN Endemic (B) or Non-native (C

)LVFKHU·V/RYHELUG$JDSRUQLVÀVFKHUL  ,,17 &

Table 2. Live birds offered for sale in 10 pre-selected Facebook groups. 1/ 1RW/LVWHG1$ 1RW$VVHVVHG'' 'DWD'HÀFLHQW/& /HDVW&RQFHUQ17 1HDU7KUHDWHQHG98 9XOQHUDEOH (1 (QGDQJHUHG&5 &ULWLFDOO\(QGDQJHUHG

60 TRAFFIC Bulletin 9RO1R  S H O R T R E P O R T

Fig. 1. 'ංඌർඎඌඌංඈඇ$ඇൽ&ඈඇർඅඎඌංඈඇ Seller offering an The vast majority of birds and reptiles found in this rapid Eastern Grass Owl assessment are commonly bred in captivity. Among the Tyto longimembris amauronota chick  PRVW WUDGHG WD[D IRU UHSWLOHV DQG ELUGV   ZHUH in exchange for non-native species, widely bred in captivity throughout a captive-bred WKH FRXQWU\ DQG UHSUHVHQWHG  LQGLYLGXDOV   female Reticulated This clearly illustrates the popularity of non-native species among enthusiasts as shown by previous studies reticulatus morph. 6\ D 6\ E 6\ LQ SUHVV  +RZHYHU XQGHU the Philippine wildlife law, it is illegal to possess and trade wildlife, captive-bred or wild-caught, without corresponding permits from the BMB. Two of the non- native CITES I-listed species observed during this study, 5DGLDWHG7RUWRLVH IRXULQGLYLGXDOV DQG3DOP&RFNDWRR IRXU are extremely unlikely to be captive-bred within the Philippines for domestic trade and may in fact represent illegally procured and/or smuggled wild- caught individuals. Although there are a few registered commercial farms with Palm Cockatoo parental stocks, UHSRUWHGFDSWLYHEUHGR൵VSULQJDUHPRVWOLNHO\GHVWLQHG for the more lucrative international bird market. The demand for native and endemic wildlife in the of the indicators of wild-caught specimens include poor GRPHVWLFPDUNHWLVVLJQL¿FDQWO\OHVVWKDQIRUQRQQDWLYH condition, routine availability of individuals in domestic species. In contrast, the demand in the international black black markets, few facilities in the country that breed market for Philippine endemic species is strong and them for commercial purposes, and the low asking prices. lucrative for illegal traders. For instance, the endemic The Philippine endemic species such as the Philippine White-headed Water Varanus nuchalis 6DLO¿Q /L]DUG Hydrosaurus pustulatus, Philippine and Cuming’s Water Monitor Lizard V. cumingi can Keeled Water Tropidophorus grayi, Marbled Water fetch between USD500–1000 per individual outside Monitor Lizard Varanus marmoratus, Variable Paradise the country and a few enthusiasts are known to re-sell Tree Snake paradisi variabilis, Luzon Red- VXFKDQLPDOVLQWHUQDWLRQDOO\IRUKLJKSUR¿W 75$)),& tailed Coelognathus erythrurus manillensis, XQSXEOGDWD  and Luzon Bronzeback Snake Dendrelaphis luzonensis Interestingly, there was almost no overlap between ZHUHHDFKR൵HUHGIRUVDOHDW3+3 86' RUOHVV WUDGHUV R൵HULQJ ELUGV DQG UHSWLOHV +REE\LVWV DOVR These endemic species are also of potential conservation appeared to specialize in a particular taxa (e.g. parrots or FRQFHUQDFFRUGLQJWRWKH,8&15HG/LVWWKH3KLOLSSLQHV OL]DUGV DQGPD\EHXQUHJLVWHUHGEUHHGHUVWU\LQJWRVHOO 6DLO¿Q/L]DUGLVDVVHVVHGDV9XOQHUDEOHDQGWKH3KLOLSSLQH R൵VSULQJRUUHVHOOHUVRIVPXJJOHGZLOGOLIH Forest Dragon species complex (currently recognized as Most of the traders appeared to be private individuals, Gonocephalus sophiae DV'DWD'H¿FLHQWDOWKRXJKWKH DQG VRPH RI WKHP R൵HUHG WR VZDS ZLOGOLIH IRU RWKHU updated Philippine National Red List that is currently VSHFLHV )LJ   RU HYHQ RWKHU SURGXFWV 6RFLDO PHGLD EHLQJ¿QDOL]HGOLVWVWKHODWWHUVSHFLHVLQWKHFDWHJRU\RI has made it easy for such individuals to buy and sell Other Threatened Species owing to poaching and illegal wildlife conveniently and anonymously (Krishnasamy WUDGH %LRGLYHUVLW\0DQDJHPHQW%XUHDXLQSUHS  DQG6WRQHU1JX\HQDQG:LOOHPVHQ6\LQ

No. of No. of Species Location Date arrests specimens seized

   *RIÀQ·V&RFNDWRR 6DUDQJDQL3URYLQFH 0D\ &DFDWXDJRIÀQLDQD    3KLOLSSLQH6HUSHQW(DJOH 0HWUR0DQLOD -XQH Spilornis holospilus    *UD\·V0RQLWRU &HEX3URYLQFH -XO\ Varanus olivaceus    %XUPHVH3\WKRQ Python bivitattus ” µ

Box 1. Wildlife seizures in Metro Manila, Province and Sarangani Province, May to July 2017.

TRAFFIC Bulletin9RO1R   S H O R T R E P O R T

Taxon # Individuals CITES / Native (A), IUCN Endemic (B) or Non-native (C

/HRSDUG*HFNREublepharis macularius  1//& & %XUPHVH3\WKRQPython bivittatus  ,,98 & %DOO3\WKRQPython regius  ,,/& & %HDUGHG'UDJRQPogona vitticeps  1/1$ & 5HWLFXODWHG3\WKRQMalayopython reticulatus  ,,1$ $ *UHHQ,JXDQDIguana iguana  ,,1$ & 6RXWKHDVW$VLDQ%R[7XUWOHCuora amboinensis  ,,98 $ 9HLOHG&KDPHOHRQChamaeleo calyptratus  ,,/& & 5HGHDUHG6OLGHU scripta elegans  1/1$ & 3KLOLSSLQH6DLOÀQ/L]DUGHydrosaurus pustulatus  1/98 % 0DUEOHG:DWHU0RQLWRU/L]DUGVaranus marmoratus  ,,/& % 3DFLÀF*URXQG%RDCandoia carinata  ,,1$ & 3KLOLSSLQH

Table 3. Live reptiles offered for sale in 10 pre-selected Facebook groups.

62 TRAFFIC Bulletin 9RO1R  S H O R T R E P O R T

SUHVV +RZHYHUWKH%0%LQFRRSHUDWLRQZLWKYDULRXV Dumaboc, F.M.D. and Padayhag, J.L. ( '(15DUUHVWV NGOs such as TRAFFIC, is resolved to address seriously 2 men for online sales of reptiles. Cebu Daily News, 15 WKH LOOHJDO ZLOGOLIH WUDGH LVVXH 7KLV LV H[HPSOL¿HG E\ July. http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/139579/denr-7-ar- recent arrests of at least six suspected illegal traders in rests-2-men-online-sales-reptiles. *LOO )DQG 'RQVNHU ' HGV    IOC World Bird List, Metro Manila, Cebu Province, and Sarangani Province version 7.2. Viewed 27 July 2017. http://www.worldbird- and the seizure of a minimum of 62 between names.org. 0D\ DQG -XO\  %R[   75$)),& XQSXEO GDWD .ULVKQDVDP\.DQG6WRQHU6  Trading Faces: A Rapid 'XPDERFDQG3DGD\KDJ  Assessment on the Use of Facebook to Trade Wildlife in It is essential that the wildlife supply channel via Peninsular Malaysia. TRAFFIC Southeast , Petaling online platforms continues to be closely monitored and Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. any suspected illegal activities reported to authorities 0RUJDQ - LQ UHYLHZ $Q DVVHVVPHQW RI WRUWRLVH DQG IUHVK- for law enforcement action. Social media can be a water turtle trade in Jakarta, Indonesia, reveals an increase powerful tool for social change and can be used more in non-native and CITES listed species. TRAFFIC, Kelana Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. often in advocacy against illegal wildlife trade, in Myers, N., Mittermeier, R.A., Mittermeier, C.G., da Fonseca, to raise awareness amongst consumers to buy pets only *$% DQG .HQW -   %LRGLYHUVLW\ KRWVSRWV IRU from legal and sustainable sources. Tackling the illegal conservation priorities. Nature 403:853–858. RQOLQH ZLOGOLIH WUDGH UHTXLUHV FRQFHUWHG H൵RUWV DPRQJ 1JX\HQ0DQG:LOOHPVHQ0  $UDSLGDVVHVVPHQWRI law enforcement agencies, social media platforms, and e-commerce wildlife trade in Viet Nam. TRAFFIC Bulletin conservation NGOs. Towards this end, TRAFFIC’s   ± continuing engagement with the BMB in the Philippines 1LMPDQ 9DQG 6KHSKHUG &5   7UDGH LQ QRQQDWLYH DQG)DFHERRNLVDSRVLWLYHVWHSLQVXSSRUWLQJWKLVH൵RUW &,7(6OLVWHGZLOGOLIHRQ$VLDDVH[HPSOL¿HGE\WKHWUDGH and helping to ensure that illegal activities on the platform LQIUHVKZDWHUWXUWOHVDQGWRUWRLVHV &KHORQLGDH LQ7KDLODQG Contributions to Zoology  ± DUH DGHTXDWHO\ PRQLWRUHG DQG WDFNOHG D QXPEHU RI Rao, M., Duckworth, J.W., Roberts, R., and Shepherd, C.R. arrests and seizures over recent months is an encouraging   $YHUWLQJ WKH LPPLQHQW H[WLQFWLRQ RI VRXWKHDVW demonstration of this closer collaboration. Asian vertebrate species: Asian Species Action Partnership $6$3 TRAFFIC Bulletin  ± $ർ඄ඇඈඐඅൾൽ඀ൾආൾඇඍඌ 6RGKL 16 .RK /3%URRN %:DQG 1J 3./   Southeast Asian biodiversity: an impending disaster. Trends The authors thank Kanitha Krishnasamy, Richard Thomas, in Ecology and Evolution   ± 6\(< HG   ,QGRQHVLDQZLOGOLIHVHL]HGLQ0LQGDQDR Kim Lochen, Willem van de Ven, and Sabine Schoppe for Philippines. Pets Unlimited 6:3–4. providing valuable comments on an earlier draft of this 6\ (< D  7XUWOHV DQG WRUWRLVHV LQ WKH 3KLOLSSLQH SHW SDSHU,UHQH'\-DPHV(DWRQ5REHUW+XWFKLQVRQ-DVRQ trade. Red Rhino Publishing, Manila, Philippines. 105 pp. Ibañez, Djop Tabaranza, and Alex Tiongco assisted in 6\(< E &KHFNOLVWRIH[RWLFVSHFLHVLQWKH3KLOLSSLQH ELUGVSHFLHVLGHQWL¿FDWLRQ7KLVVWXG\LVDSDUWRIDSURMHFW pet trade, II. Reptiles. Journal of Nature Studies  ± funded generously by a donor who wishes to remain 93. anonymous. 6\(< LQSUHVV 7UDGLQJ)DFHV8WLOLVDWLRQRI)DFHERRNWR Trade Live Reptiles in the Philippines. TRAFFIC, Kelana Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. 5ൾൿൾඋൾඇർൾඌ 8HW] 3 )UHHG 3 DQG +RVHN - HGV   7KH 5HSWLOH Database. Viewed 27 July 2017. http://www.reptile- $JHQFH)UDQFH3UHVVH  1$,$FRSKHOGIRUVPXJJOLQJ database.org. rare animals. Philippine Daily Inquirer, 31 January 2016. Available at: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/760319/naia-cop- held-for-smuggling-rare-animals. $QRQ  3KLOLSSLQH&RFNDWRRCacatua haematuropygia. In: Collar, N.J., Andreev, A.V., Chan, S., Crosby, M.J., 6XEUDPDQ\D6DQG7RELDV-$ HGV Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. $QRQ  ZZZRDQGDFRPYLHZHG)HEUXDU\ &KQJ6/DQG%RXKX\V-  ,QGLDQ6WDU7ortoises: Shop sales fall as internet trade increases. TRAFFIC Bulletin   ± Diesmos, A.C., Buskirk, J.R., Schoppe, S., Diesmos, M.L.L., 6\ (< DQG %URZQ 50   Siebenrockiella leytensis 7D\ORU ²3DODZDQIRUHVWWXUWOH3KLOLSSLQH IRUHVW WXUWOH ,Q 5KRGLQ $*- 3ULWFKDUG 3&+ YDQ Cristine P. Canlas, Research Assistant, TRAFFIC; Dijk P.P., Saumure, R.A., Buhlmann, K.A., Iverson, J.B. E-mail: [email protected] DQG 0LWWHUPHLHU 5$ HGV  &RQVHUYDWLRQ %LRORJ\ RI Emerson Y. Sy, Consultant, TRAFFIC; Freshwater and Tortoises: a compilation project of (PDLOFRQVXOWDQW3+32#WUD৽FRUJ the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Serene Chng3URJUDPPH2৽FHU75$)),& Group. Chelonian Research Monographs 5:066.1–066.9. (PDLOVHUHQHFKQJ#WUD৽FRUJ

TRAFFIC Bulletin9RO1R