Primate Trade ( A sia)

Abstract

Wildlife trade affects primate species worldwide and Asia plays a major role in this trade. Although this practice is centuries old, advances in technology have seen numbers of primates in trade rise to hitherto unseen levels. Primates are traded for scientific research purposes, as ingredients in traditional medicine, as pets, for use in entertainment, as economic tools, and for consumption. Southeast Asia and China are the main hubs of primate trade both as importers and exporters. Cultural attitudes towards primates often provide some protection, although this is very variable even over a small geographical range and is lessening with time. Much of the legislation pertaining to the national and international trade in primates in Asia is weak, largely ignored, or unenforced, leading to high levels of illegal trade. Trade is now among the most significant threats to primate species in Asia and urgent conservation action is needed.