Illegal Trade in Wildlife Species in Beirut, Lebanon

Between February and September 2014, we performed a survey of 23 animal markets in Beirut. Trade in wild animals including reptiles, birds and mammals comprise a large volume (25704 specimens). The estimated value of wildlife trade in Lebanon in the visited shops and during the study period is 431371 US$, out of which 97 % is for birds. This number indicates the economical importance of wildlife trade in Lebanon. Due to the high demand by the public, birds constituted the majority of the traded species which consisted mostly of cage-bred or imported species. Lebanon's biodiversity is not threatened by the trade of wild species, except for some species like the Spur-thighed tortoise. However, the risk of transmission of diseases due to trade in wildlife is evident. The prices of traded animals varied according to their conservational status, their origins (local, captive-bred, imported or smuggled), supply and demand, and specific features of species. Highest prices were observed when all factors are combined (i.e. case of the Macaw parrot). Most (64%) traded species are not listed under any appendix of CITES, only 16 species are listed under Appendix-II and one species is listed under Appendix-III. Regarding IUCN status of traded species, five species are considered vulnerable, one is endangered, one is near threatened and the rest are considered as least concern. Furthermore, most (70%) of the shops visited were in poor conditions, while shops in excellent conditions are exclusively the licensed shops. Hence, law enforcement and regulation of wildlife trade will have a positive impact on not only shop conditions, but also on animals well being, reduced degree of mortality in trade, reduced smuggling, and consequently a better conservation of wildlife in Lebanon.