The exotic pet trade is listed as one of the primary reasons for the spread of invasive species, which is recognized as the second most important cause of biodiversity loss after habitat destruction. More than 100 such exotic species have been reported in Kerala, many of them introduced as part of the pet industry
The exotic pet trade is listed as one of the primary reasons for the spread of invasive species, which is recognized as the second most important cause of biodiversity loss after habitat destruction. More than 100 such exotic species have been reported in Kerala, many of them introduced as part of the pet industry
In February last year, 12-year-old Adityan D. Thampi from Thrissur found a cute red-eared turtle while fishing in a canal near his home in Kalathodu, a few kilometers from the city centre. Little did he know about his catch. But the scientists of Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) noticed the danger when they looked at the boy’s Facebook post.
he was the one Trachemys scripta elegans, a red-eared slider turtle, considered one of the world’s worst invasive species. It is a favorite among pet lovers, especially children. Kids are attracted to them because of their low price, color and cute size that can fit in a matchbox.
“But when the tortoise grows rapidly, the attraction wears off by eating a lot of food. As it gets bigger in size, it doesn’t fit into smaller tanks. When it becomes difficult to maintain them, people Throw them into lakes and ponds without knowing that turtles can endanger biodiversity. Their population grows rapidly in the wild as they are away from their native predators,” said TV Sanjeev, Senior Principal Scientist, KFRI, Peachy it is said.
Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) is one of the most toxic aquatic weeds in the world. It is a popular aquarium, garden plant. , photo credit: The Hindu
They pose a major threat to native tortoise species because they rapidly mature, grow large and are aggressive, he says.
Originating from areas around the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, this turtle was transported around the world through the exotic pet trade. Its populations have been established in almost every continent except Antarctica, and have been reported from at least 73 countries.
pet business
The red-eared slider turtle is an example of how the pet industry inadvertently opens doors to biological invasions that are harmful to native ecosystems. The annual trade in exotic pets is a multi-billion dollar global business. Recent research has put the Indian pet care market size at ₹74,000 crore in 2022, which is projected to be around ₹210,000 crore by 2032.
The exotic pet trade is listed as one of the primary reasons for the spread of the invasive species, according to a recent academic review published in the journal Nature. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment,
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines an exotic species as an introduced species outside its natural range; If this species negatively affects native biodiversity, it is called an invasive alien species.
People often buy exotic pets without knowing what they are getting themselves into, says Manish Ammattil, who researches red-eared tortoises at KFRI.
“Red-eared sliders can transmit parasites and diseases against which our native tortoises have no immunity. Studies confirm that red-eared sliders carry a variety of bacterial diseases where they serve as vectors. Some studies indicate that they are found to carry several pathogens including Salmonella pomona, Cryptosporidium parvum, Shigella and Klebsiella,” says Mr. Manish.
The discovery of the turtle in a water body in Thrissur revealed its presence in the wild in Kerala. Apart from Kerala, it has been reported from several states including Maharashtra, Mandir Talab in Bengaluru, Himayat Sagar in Hyderabad, Dhanas and Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, Rajarhat, Kolkata, Fateh Sagar Lake, Udaipur, Goa, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
Red-eared slider turtles can transmit parasites and diseases against which native turtles have no immunity. It is a favorite among pet lovers, especially kids, who come for its low price, color and cute size. , photo credit: The Hindu
Countries around the world have spent huge sums of money to eliminate the Red Year slider. For example, the ongoing eradication program in Queensland, Australia, has cost one million Australian dollars so far.
KFRI has issued a public notice to pet owners not to release these turtles in the wild and has collected over 250 turtles from across the state and protected them at its centres.
biodiversity loss
Invasive alien species are recognized as the second most important cause of biodiversity loss after habitat destruction. They can be plants, animals and microorganisms. More than 100 such exotic species have been reported in Kerala. And research shows that many of them are introduced as part of the pet industry.
A recent study by a group of scientists in Kerala on ‘Distribution of Exotic Invasive Species in Aquatic Ecosystems of the Southern Western Ghats’ (Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society) recorded 32 exotic species, including four plants. species (macrophytes) and 28 fish species. , Of the 28 species of fish, seven have been identified as invasive.
The study shows that 15 of the 32 exotic species were introduced into the natural water bodies of the southern Western Ghats through aquarium hobby and trade. While six species were introduced solely to promote aquaculture, three were introduced for mosquito control, and three for either aquarium keeping or aquaculture promotion.
Of the 32 exotic species, 11 were native to Southeast Asia, ten to South America, seven to Central or North America, and four to Africa.
exotic aquarium fish
Several species of exotic fish are present in the inland waters of Kerala, threatening the native biodiversity. These include popular aquarium fish such as Pterigoplichthys multiradiatus (algae sucker/sucking cat), Poecilia reticulata (guppies), trichogaster trichopterus (three-spot gourami), and Xiphophorus maculatus (plate).
Among invasive and exotic fish, the most widely distributed species is the Mozambican tilapia ( O. mosambicus), occurs in all 44 rivers, 18 reservoirs and two lakes. common carp ( c. carpio) is the second most common invasive species, having been recorded from 17 rivers, 29 reservoirs and one lake. On the other hand, guppies are distributed in 14 rivers and 22 reservoirs.
effect of flood
Many exotic species, especially those commonly traded for the aquarium hobby, fled to natural waters after devastating floods in 2018 and 2019. These floods resulted in large-scale predatory species such as migrations or migrations. arapaima gigas And atractosteus spatula Researchers say that in natural water bodies.
The large populations of guppies and platys observed continuously over the years in the Chalakudy River confirm their widespread invasion in this river hotspot.
Another major risk factor is the rearing of exotic aquarium fish in open systems such as granite quarries and home ponds. Mine farming of ornamental fish is an emerging activity in Kerala. Most of such mines are not protected by a fence/net. During monsoon, these fish can escape into the surrounding natural ecosystem.
invasive plants
three invasive plants S. molesta (giant salvinia), Pistia Stratiots (water cabbage), and E. crassipes (hyacinth) were introduced to the region as garden plants or for research purposes, and their entry into natural systems is thought to be accidental.
In the recent past, an entire water body near Perambra in Kozhikode turned pink due to the mass flowering of Red Cabomba, an invasive exotic species. kabomba furkata) The pink flower made the Avalapandi canal an instant tourist destination. But scientists and environmentalists are concerned.
The fast-growing Cabomba is a visual delight, but becomes a potential dispersal in water bodies by active stem propagation, which hinders the penetration of light into the water. It suppresses water bodies ecologically and economically, affecting the growth of native aquatic plants and freshwater fish. This requires a large amount of oxygen, says Karthika M. Nair, research scholar at KFRI, which results in degradation of biodiversity and water quality.
A recent survey found red kabomba in seven rivers and two lakes only in the southern Western Ghats. Native to Central and South America, Cabomba is a popular aquarium plant.
“Invasion prevention through biosecurity regulations should be the main focus for the management of biological invasions. Continuous monitoring is needed to detect species before they spread into the wild. Restoration of invading sites to avoid re-invasion It is important,” says Dr. Sanjeev, who coordinates the activities of the Nodal Center for Biological Invasion at KFRI. He stressed that it is important to engage with stakeholders at all levels.