In the shadow of illegal wildlife markets, a lesser-known but disturbing trade flourishes. The online sales of bat taxidermy – including the endangered Kerivoula picta – are marketed as decorative items on platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Amazon. This trade not only violates international conservation laws but also fuels the decline of species crucial to our ecosystems.
Sign the petition to urge Etsy, eBay, and Amazon to do better at stopping the illegal sale of endangered bats online!
Kerivoula picta bats, also known as painted woolly or fire bats, are brightly colored and strikingly patterned. Conservationists cite online demand for these bats is one of the primary threats driving their decline in their natural habitats across Asia. To make matters worse, sellers often mislead consumers with claims of sustainable sourcing.
Despite clear violations under the Lacey Act, which prohibits trade in illegally sourced wildlife, these sales continue, facilitated by major online marketplaces. The situation has escalated to a point where urgent action is necessary to prevent these beautiful creatures from being reduced to mere trinkets.
Sign the petition to demand the CEOs of Etsy, eBay, and Amazon to enforce policies against the sale of endangered and threatened wildlife, and penalize the sellers who repeatedly violate these policies!
