Chameleons, tortoises top Kenya's exotic wildlife trade

Globally, chameleons are among the most popular reptiles in the exotic pet trade, among them, those only native to Kenya. [iStockphoto]

Every year, hundreds of chameleons and tortoises are exported from Kenya to feed the growing exotic pet trade despite most of these animals being rare.

The 2023 data from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Trade database lists hundreds of species of tortoises and chameleons that made the bulk of legal wildlife exports.

Majority of the exports originate from breeding farms, according to the declarations made in the records.

The database, which is the most comprehensive and authoritative on international trade in wildlife, allows access to transactions of international trade in species of wild fauna and flora.

In 2023 records, the critically endangered bowmouth guitarfish, the endangered shortfin mako sharks and stony corals were among the wildlife that Kenya exports.

Netherlands, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Arab Emirates, USA and Norway rank as the top importers of wildlife exports from Kenya. 

Over 3,800 kilograms of silky shark were exported to Spain, while the Netherlands sourced some species of cactus, aloe vera and bowmouth guitarfish from Kenya.

According to the CITES website, Kenya exported several stems and leaves of aloe vera and cactus species, majority to the Netherlands.

Germany is the main importer of tortoises from Kenya.  Among the several tortoise species that were exported by breeding farms include Bell’s hinge- back tortoise, Speke’s hinge-back tortoise and leopard tortoise.

Globally, chameleons are among the most popular reptiles in the exotic pet trade, among them, those only native to Kenya.

Although the global trade in CITES-listed chameleons was assessed in 2004, trade in species that are restricted to certain regions is ongoing.

Last year, Kenya exported 150 bohme’s two-horned chameleons, a species listed among the smallest two-horned chameleon of its kind in East Africa, to Germany. 

In the wild, bohme’s chameleon is only found in Taita hills.  Elliot’s chameleon, honnel’s chameleon, Jackson’s chameleon species were also exported to Germany. 

Among the chameleon species exported, Jackson’s and honnel’s species were exported in bulk. Some 360 Jackson’s chameleons were exported so were 225 honnel’s chameleon species.

According to the CITES trade database, more than 1.5 million records of trade in CITES-listed wildlife species are reported annually. By 2023, the database had recorded more than 25 million records of wildlife trade transactions.