Skin Trade Research Articles

Combating Illegal Trade of Monitor Lizards (Varanus spp) in Malaysia through DNA Barcoding Applications

Abstract Varanids, known as monitor lizards are traded as pet animal commodities and demand for skin trade especially in Southeast Asian countries. Given the significant demand in the international trade, accurate species identification is imperative for Varanids particularly endangered species to prevent misidentification and fraud in marketplaces as Varanids species exhibit morphological similarities. Therefore, advanced molecular technique is vital to facilitate accurate species identification especially for closely related species. Besides, few research have used cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) to track the genetic and phylogenetic analysis of Varanids. In this study, the COI mitochondrial DNA region was tested as a molecular marker for species identification of Malaysia monitor lizards using the DNA barcode. Two species were successfully identified from eight samples from Pantai Penyabong, Mersing, Johor which are V. salvator and V. nebulosus based on phylogenetic analysis (Neighbor-Joining, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Tree). This study showed that by using their relative genetic divergence and evolutionary links, DNA barcodes can aid in the species identification through molecular technique. Short sequences can be used to identify closely related species, and the possibility of species misidentification among the study’s samples should be taken into account. DNA barcoding techniques should be widely practised especially in wildlife forensics to facilitate precise wildlife identification and improve the efficiencies in combatting illegal wildlife trade in Malaysia.

Challenges of regulating commercial use of marine elapid snakes in the Indo-Pacific.

Marine elapid snakes are a diverse, predominantly Indo-West Pacific species group. The persistent removal of some species has an unquantified but potentially dire impact on populations. We conducted the first comprehensive review of the trade in marine elapid snakes based on published literature (1974-2022) and trade data from the only species (i.e., Hydrophis [Lapemis] curtus) whose trade is monitored internationally. Some species and populations were subjected to targeted harvest for their meat and skins for at least the last century; fisheries are possibly the most significant threat to populations of marine elapids, with the highest numbers being exploited either accidentally, incidentally, or opportunistically in Southeast Asian fisheries targeting other seafood, including demersal trawl and squid fisheries. Southeast Asia is the core region for exploitation of marine elapids. Annual offtake is >225,000 individuals of at least 8 species in the Gulf of Thailand. Of 72 recognized marine elapids (all non-CITES [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora] species), Hydrophis curtus and Hydrophis cyanocinctus dominate the skin trade. Skins of H. curtus are traded mainly in East and Southeast Asia and, to some extent, Europe. Despite some baseline information on the trade of these species, the sustainability of their harvests, particularly in the context of the burgeoning and unmanaged nature of fisheries in the region, remains the major challenge. In an era of declining fish stocks, there has been an increasing trend to commercialize the harvest and use marine elapids that were once considered accidental bycatch and discarded. This trend will continue to pose a significant risk to these snakes unless appropriate fisheries and trade regulations are enforced. Applying the precautionary principle to prevent the overexploitation of sea snakes is an indispensable measure in which trade in regional populations should be regulated through CITES. Accordingly, management plans to identify core distribution regions of exploited species would be crucial for assigning national responsibilities to sustain species and populations in the long term.

Morphometric dataset of Varanus salvator for non-invasive sex identification using machine learning

Reliable sex identification in Varanus salvator traditionally relied on invasive methods like genetic analysis or dissection, as less invasive techniques such as hemipenes inversion are unreliable. Given the ecological importance of this species and skewed sex ratios in disturbed habitats, a dataset that allows ecologists or zoologists to study the sex determination of the lizard is crucial. We present a new dataset containing morphometric measurements of V. salvator individuals from the skin trade, with sex confirmed by dissection post- measurement. The dataset consists of a mixture of primary and secondary data such as weight, skull size, tail length, condition etc. and can be used in modelling studies for ecological and conservation research to monitor the sex ratio of this species. Validity was demonstrated by training and testing six machine learning models. This dataset has the potential to streamline sex determination, offering a non-invasive alternative to complement existing methods in V. salvator research, mitigating the need for invasive procedures.

Getting Under the Skin Trade: Towards a Global Sociology of Skin-Lightening Practices

Skin lightening cuts across multiple and intersecting areas of interest to sociologists. These include consumerism, capital, the body, femininities, masculinities, the power of the media in shaping people’s imaginations, constructions of beauty, and racialised and gendered social relations and representations, with the legacies of colonial pasts playing out in the present. Here, we set out some key themes, patterns, and frames observed in the multidisciplinary work published on skin lightening, and advocate for the addition of other frames for strategic reasons, which we argue in the second half of the article. Foucault’s technologies of self is recommended as a platform for critiquing individualism and the framing of choice; a political economy approach would help establish that skin lightening is a global business and grasp industry-wide patterns. Finally, a shift to looking at discourse and counter-discourse would reframe women as active agents in cultural resistance and change, and not just the relatively passive dupes of the colonial legacy. We thus map out a broad research agenda that would transform skin lightening into an object of broad, sustained sociological research.

Racial discrimination in non-fungible token (NFT) prices? CryptoPunk sales and skin tone

Using sales data for the non-fungible token (NFT) collection titled ‘CryptoPunks’ (June 2017–October 2021, n=18, 883), we examine whether certain skin tones of the artworks trade at different prices. Results indicate that CryptoPunks with lighter skin tones (Albino and Light), trade at significantly higher prices. CryptoPunks with Dark skin trade at lower prices, even after controlling for rarity and market conditions.

The link between wildlife trade and the global donkey skin product network

AbstractUnsustainable global wildlife trade impacts biodiversity and threatens national and global security, but many aspects of this trade remain opaque. Our study is a novel investigation of the alleged links between the trade in wildlife products and in donkey skins. The global donkey skin trade is a newly prevalent and lucrative business, largely driven by Chinese demand for E‐Jiao, a traditional medicine derived from donkey skins. Records of donkey skins being seized alongside other wildlife products lead us to hypothesize that there is a link between these two trades. We identified all donkey skin dealers on seven business‐to‐business e‐commerce websites and obtained 14,949 data points. These were used in a network analysis to demonstrate the structure of the network and reveal the connection between the products, including wild animal and plant products offered alongside donkey skins. We identified at least 13 groups of CITES‐listed species in the densely connected donkey skin product network, demonstrated an association between the online trade in wildlife products and donkey skins, and discuss the implications of this overlap—including the potential to shed light on potential novel trade pathways in legal and illegal domestic animal and wildlife trade.

Donkey Skin Trade and Its Non-compliance With Legislative Framework.

Donkeys (Equus asinus) are facing a global crisis. Their welfare, and even survival, is being compromised as the demand for their skins increases. This demand is driven by the need to supply raw materials to produce ejiao, a Traditional Chinese Medicine made from collagen extracted from donkey skins. Since there is no productive chain for donkey skin production outside of China, the global trade is an entirely extractive industry that has resulted in the decimation of some local donkey populations. The donkey skin trade is demonstrably unsustainable, from the ethical issues associated with poor welfare, to the biosecurity and human health risks the trade poses; and it violates both legal frameworks and moral expectations at both a national and global level.

The Donkey Skin Trade: Challenges and Opportunities for Policy Change

AbstractThe use of animal derivatives in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dates back more than 5000 years. Donkey skins are one such animal derivative, the skins are used to produce ejiao, which is a luxury product and believed by some to have a variety of health benefits. The increasing demand for ejiao is putting the global donkey population at risk. In China between 1990 and 2018 the donkey population decreased by 77 per cent, as a consequence donkeys are largely being sourced from Africa to meet the demand. In low and middle‐income countries donkeys are a valuable livelihood asset. Research has emerged highlighting the potential detrimental impacts of the loss of donkeys on livelihoods. In addition to the impact on communities, the trade presents a number of signifcant health and welfare concerns to donkeys. Methods for raising awareness, reducing demand and challenging and enforcing policy are all needed to reduce the impact of the donkey skin trade. Policy change needs to be bottom up, with local bans in countries where the trade is most damaging and coordinated enforcement of legislation, including the tackling of illegal cross border trade. Partnership across non‐governmental organisations, agencies and government is essential.

Donkey skin trade: a growing global problem

Growing demand for ejiao – gelatin produced from donkey skin and used in Traditional Chinese Medicine – is putting global donkey populations at risk and threatening the livelihoods of millions of people that depend on them in lower and middle-income countries. Hundreds of thousands of donkeys are slaughtered for their skins and exported annually, mostly from Africa to China. However, the trade is spreading across the globe, including Brazil. This article highlights the appalling welfare conditions for donkeys caught up in both the legal and illegal trade, as well as the effects on vulnerable people and the potential for disease spread and hazards to human health.

Donkey skin trade: is it sustainable to slaughter donkeys for their skin?

Donkeys (Equus asinus) face a global crisis. The health, welfare, and even survival of donkeys are being compromised as the demand for their skins increases. It is driven by the production of ejiao, a traditional Chinese remedy believed by some to have medicinal properties. It is estimated that the ejiao industry currently requires approximately 4.8 million donkey skins per year. Since there is no productive chain for donkey skin production outside of China, the activity is extractive and has resulted in the decimation of donkeys. Gestation is 12 months in donkeys, increasing the risk of extinction if such practices are not controlled. In this scenario, the donkeys are collected (purchased for low prices, stolen, and collected from the side of the roads) and are then often transported for long distances, usually without water, food, or rest. The trade, in Brazil, poses significant biosecurity risks, particularly because examinations are rarely conducted and therefore infectious diseases, such as glanders and infectious anemia, remain undetected. Furthermore, in chronic stress situations, the immune system is suppressed, increasing the biosecurity risk, especially because donkeys are a silent carrier of diseases. Rarely there is traceability with animals from different origins being put together in “fake farms”, before being delivered to slaughterhouses. The opportunistic strategy of collecting animals, or buying for low prices, keeping them without access to food and veterinary assistance, is what makes this trade profitable. Our experience in donkey welfare and the global skin trade suggest that it will be enormously challenging and cost-prohibitive to run a trade at the standards required to be considered humane, sustainable, and safe. Although donkeys are being blamed for the involvement in road accidents, it is not an ethical solution to maintain this trade as an alternative. Moreover, the ecological role of donkeys in native ecosystems has not been elucidated, and some studies indicate they could even have a positive effect. Regardless of the future the donkeys will have; we must guarantee a life with the least dignity to the animals under our responsibility.

Consumption and Trade of Asian Water Monitor, Varanus salvator as Reliance on Wildlife for Livelihoods among Rural Communities in North Sumatra, Indonesia

The water monitor, Varanus salvator has been exploited for its skin to supply international demands for reptile leather, whereas meat, liver, and fat are consumed locally in some communities in North Sumatra. Demands for skin seems to be paralleled with meat consumption in this province for more than 25 years. We conducted direct interviews with hunters and collecting managers in five abattoirs in five towns in North Sumatra to obtain preliminary data on consumption and trade of Water monitor. Additionally, we explore the association between consumption, trade, and livelihood of rural communities. We found that lizards of all sizes were taken and processed in the abattoirs for skin and meat trade. Consumption of Water monitor meat in North Sumatra is partially driven by a cultural background and has been occurring probably longer than the skin trade for leather industry. We noted that meat of Water monitor also becomes an alternative protein source because of its lower price. In conclusions, benefits of Water monitor harvest are extended across levels of participants in the local trade, including hunters, collectors, and meat consumers. Meat consumption and skin trade are closely linked with one another in North Sumatra; nevertheless sustainability of the trade needs to be evaluated in the near future to predict demands and production capacity.

Journeying to freedom: the spatial ecology of a reintroduced population of Orinoco crocodiles (Crocodylus intermedius) in Colombia

BackgroundThe Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) is the largest crocodile and the most threatened by extinction in the Neotropics due to overexploitation for the skin trade during the early–middle twentieth century. Knowledge of their ecology is poor in Colombia because long-term armed conflict has restricted fieldwork. In 2015, we reintroduced four captive-reared adult crocodiles, each equipped with a Sirtrack KiwiSat 202 satellite transmitter and monitored their movements from 2015 to 2018.ResultsSeasonal movements were as far 177 km in males and 115 km in females. Home ranges were as large as 55 km2 for males and 16 km2 for females for a single year and 178 km2 and 21 km2, respectively, for males and females over 2 years. Spatial ecological patterns changed drastically by season, with males increasing their home range and females reducing home range during the wet season. We confirmed that daily activity patterns defined as measure by number of locations across the day were not influenced by season.ConclusionsWe believe that seasonal changes in the size and shape of home ranges were associated with patrolling or exploratory behaviors after release, while daily activity behavior was independent of season, sex or size of the animal.

Hunting and trading activities of reticulated python (Python reticulatus) in South Sulawesi, Indonesia: A report from the field

One of the main causes of biodiversity loss apart from habitat destruction is wildlife trade and when those causes combined, the impacts are detrimental to the survival of the species. Among all of wildlife traded, wild-sourced reptiles are found to be the highest traded during 2000s particularly for reptile skins where 24% were exported from Indonesia with 50% were known to be originated from pythons. This was included reticulated python (Python reticulatus) where many have been hunted for its meat, skin, fat and other parts not only for livelihood needs but also for traditional medicines and recently used for fashion materials which has significantly increased its trade. South Sulawesi Province has been known to become one of the sources in python’s skin trade. This study aims to 1) identify potential areas to catch reticulated python; 2) examine the profiles of hunters/collectors of python’s skins; 3) identify distribution channel of the skin trade within the region; and 4) determine sustainability of the python skin trading in South Sulawesi Province. A comprehensive survey targeting on hunters/collectors was carried in the three regencies (Bone, Wajo, Luwu) known to be potential areas of catching pythons in the region. To provide information on hunter’s/collector’s profiles, python’s population conditions, catching period and techniques used, structured interviews towards identified hunters/collectors were conducted. It was found that for the three regencies, there were total four hunters/collectors for reticulated python’s skins which marketed the skins directly to 1-2 companies in Makassar. The catching areas were known to be 42 spots widely distributed across the three regencies with the highest found to be in Wajo Regency (17 spots). Most of the pythons were caught live with standard length of 2.5 m. Number of pythons per month was ranged from 20-200 individuals with sold prices ranged from USD 3-5 per individuals. The collectors sold the pythons only in skin form with the prices around USD 4-6 per meter. In South Sulawesi, the hunters/collectors sold directly to distributor companies without any middle men. Based on the previous quota and the results of findings in the field, the hunting of python skins is still below the allowable quota and did not exceeded the population in the wild. Therefore, the harvest of the species through hunting can be considered sustainable.

Population status of Asian elephantsElephas maximusand key threats

The Asian elephantElephas maximusis distributed in 13 countries across South Asia and South East Asia spread over an area of 486 800 km2with a population ofc. 48 323–51 680 in the wild andc. 15 000 in captivity. The major threats to the survival of the species are habitat shrinkage and fragmentation, human–elephant conflict, poaching and illegal trade of elephant body parts. The elephant populations of Vietnam, Sumatra and Myanmar are under great threat with only 100–130 elephants left in the wild in Vietnam. Apart from ivory, the trade of other body parts of elephants, especially the skin trade, has increased in last few years further threatening the elephant population. This trade could result in indiscriminate killing of elephants of both sexes threatening the fragile elephant population in the region. Human–elephant conflict has become a significant threat for the conservation of Asian elephants across their range of distribution and needs to be managed urgently to prevent retaliation. The welfare and care of elephants in captivity is a major concern as are the training methods used with these elephants. There is also a need to create and conform to a uniform registration system for elephants in human care to prevent illegal trade of individuals.

Drivers of the Illegal Hunting of Serval (Leptailurus serval) and Oribi (Ourebiaourebi) in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa

In most marginalized rural areas of developing countries, where employment opportunities and income channels are limited, illegal hunting of wildlife for subsistence and commercial purposes often prevails. Rapid human population growth and the rising demand for bushmeat, particularly in cities where bushmeat has become a popular delicacy, has increased illegal bushmeat harvesting. The extent and drivers of illegal hunting of two important habitat specialists and keystone species in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa, namely oribi (Ourebia ourebi) and serval (Leptailurus serval), are relatively poorly understood. Thus, we interviewed community members in the region (n = 271 interviews) and found that most respondents hunted illegally to acquire meat (82%), as bushmeat was perceived to taste better than domestic meat (46%). However, illegal bushmeat hunting in the region did not represent an important source of livelihood. Oribi were hunted for meat while serval were sought after for the purposes of traditional medicine and for the skin trade. The consideration of site-specific socio-economic drivers of illegal resource use is vital in ensuring effective conservation management for these two species. Our results also provide support for conservation initiatives addressing a wide range of wild animals affected by illegal hunting in this region.

Predicting size limit of wild blood python (python brongersmai stull, 1938) harvesting in north sumatera

Blood python (Python brongersmai Stull, 1938) is one of heavily exploited wildlife in Indonesia. The high demands on its skin trade have made its harvesting regulated under quota-based setting by the government to prevent over-harvesting. To gain understanding on the sustainability of P. brongersmai in the wild, biological characters of wild-caught specimens were studied. Samples were collected from two slaughterhouses from Rantau Prapat and Langkat. Parameters measured were morphological (Snout-vent length (SVL), body mass, abdomen width) and anatomical characters (Fat classes). Total samples of P. brongersmai in this research were 541 with 269 male and 272 female snakes. Female snakes had the highest proportion of individuals with the best quality of abdominal fat reserves (Class 3). Linear models are built and tested for its significance in relation between fat classes as anatomical characters and morphological characters. All tested morphological characters were significant in female snakes. By using linear equation models, we generate size limit to prioritize harvesting in the future. We suggest the use of SVL and stomach width ranging between 139,7 – 141,5 cm and 24,72 – 25,71 cm respectively to achieve sustainability of P. brongersmai in the wild.

Patrones y tendencias de uso del venado cola blanca (Odocoileus virginianus) en comunidades mayas, Campeche, México

Introduction: For some indigenous societies of Mexico, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has played and still plays a decisive role in terms of its cultural and practical significance. In this sense, the objective of this study was to obtain information concerning the diverse ways that Mayan populations of Campeche State using the white-tailed deer with the aim of detecting patterns and trends of use on this species. Methods: Fieldwork (2009-2012) was carried out in four rural communities, Nunkini and Sahcabchen located in the northern portion of Campeche, and Pich and Chencoh located in the central part of the state. Interviews (n = 160) were performed to record the uses and values people assign to the wildlife in each community. Using the relative importance index (IIRE) and the similarity index (IS), a comparison was made between communities regarding white-tailed deer values and uses. Results: In the four Mayan communities, uses of white-tailed deer (O. virgininianus) can be classified in eight categories: 1) food, 2) medical, 3) furrier, 4) tool, 5) ornamental, 6) trade, 7) pets, and 8) mythical. The use of deer as food showed an IS > 0.8 in four communities. Skin trade was recorded differently with Pitch having a higher value of importance with respect to the communities of Chencoh, Sahacabchen and Nunkini, where IS held in a range from 0.4 to 0.6. The most significant differences were obtained for skin trade showing a similar index between Sahacabchen and Nunkini (IS > 0.6 ) while lacking commercial value in Chencoh and Pich (IS < 0.1). Discussion and conclusions: The recognized patterns of use of white-tailed deer recognized are related to the historical characteristics of utilization and management of natural resources of the Mayan communities, where agriculture is the predominant economical activity and hunting is an opportunistic and occasional practice for subsistence. This pattern of use has remained relatively stable and the practices and categories of use are similar among Mayan populations despite the distance between them (~100 km). However, communities in Northern Campeche (Nunkini and Sahcabchen) showed a growing tendency to trade the skin with respect to communities of Central Campeche (Chencoh and Pich) where the traditional pattern of use remained essentially for food, ornamental and household use of skin, with a tendency towards implementing hunting in legally established wildlife management units (UMA).

Development of the stratum corneum.

In 2015, Professor Ronald (Ronnie) Marks will celebrate his 80th birthday and the 35th year since assuming the Chair of Dermatology at the University of Wales College of Medicine in Cardiff, Wales. Ronnie's long and prolific career is well deserving of a celebratory Festschrift. Among his many accomplishments, Marks was an early champion of quantitative measurements and the application of bioengineering methods to clinical skin science, with particular focus on stratum corneum biology and the measurement of skin appearance. Appealing to Ronnie's wry sense of humour, I would characterize his career in the words of the native Welshman, Dylan Thomas, who published an unfinished novel in 1955 entitled Adventures in the Skin Trade. Ronnie Marks has been a quintessential and imaginative adventurer in the 'skin trade', and he continues to forge new trails for others to follow. The areas highlighted below are emblematic of Ronnie's varied research interests and his impact on stimulating experimental questions for me and future investigators of epidermal differentiation and stratum corneum development.

'Skin Trade': Genealogy of Anti-ageing 'Whiteness Therapy' in Colonial Medicine.

This article investigates the extent to which the emerging trend of do-it-yourself anti-ageing skin-whitening products represents a re-articulation of Western colonial concerns with environmental pollution and racial degeneracy into concern with gendered vulnerability. This emerging market is a multibillion dollar industry anchored in the USA, but expanding globally. Do-it-yourself anti-ageing skin-whitening products purport to address the needs of those looking to fight the visible signs of ageing, often promising to remove hyper-pigmented age spots from women’s skin, and replace it with ageless skin, free from pigmentation. In order to contextualize the investigation of do-it-yourself anti-ageing skin-whitening practice and discourse, this article draws from the literature in colonial commodity culture, colonial tropical medicine, the contemporary anti-ageing discourse, and advertisements for anti-ageing skin-whitening products. First, it argues that the framing of the biomedicalization of ageing as a pigmentation problem caused by deteriorating environmental conditions and unhealthy lifestyle draws tacitly from European colonial concerns with the European body’s susceptibility to tropical diseases, pigmentation disorders, and racial degeneration. Second, the article argues that the rise of do-it-yourself anti-ageing skin-whitening commodities that promise to whiten, brighten, and purify the ageing skin of women and frames the visible signs of ageing in terms of pigmentation pathology.

The Trade in Southeast Asian Python Skins

This report describes the trade flows of python skins in Southeast Asia and identifies the main points of value addition in the supply chain for the five most heavily traded python species; provides information on the regulation of python skin trade; analyzes the trade flows in python skins from key exporting countries in Southeast Asia; gives an overview of the value chain of pythons; reviews welfare and sustainability issues regarding python harvesting for the skin trade; presents recommendations in a number of areas of concern relating to illegal trade, trade measures, sustainability and animal welfare; includes bibliography.