Chapter 14 - Use and Commercialization of Animals as Decoration

Abstract

This chapter provides a review of published scientific literature on the use and commercialization of animals for decorative purposes. The use of animals by humans to create items such as decorative pieces, jewelry, and objects of contemplation and adornment has involved hundreds of both vertebrate and nonvertebrate species. Whole animals, or their parts, such as bird feathers, shark teeth, mollusk shells, and bottled lobsters, have a long history of being used in decorative pieces. In some countries, endangered and legally protected species continue to be exploited for such purposes. Trade in such items crosses international borders, from small beach shops to worldwide. The impacts of this exploitation of wild populations largely remain unknown, although the conservation status of some populations of larger animals with low fecundity, such as turtles and marine mammals, is alarming. Conservation efforts need to prioritize the enforcement of existing laws and raise awareness among people who buy these products and thus stimulate trade.