Live owls in Japanese pet stores and cafés: Volumes, species, and impediments to effective trade monitoring

• DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2024.03.006
• Publication Date: 2024-05-24T06:41:29Z
• Authors: Boyd T.C. Leupen; Kay Wakao; Yoko Asakawa; James A. Eaton; Simon Bruslund
• Keywords: CITES; Principle of legality; Stock (firearms); Wildlife trade

Owls are popular pets in Japan, with the country being largest importer of live owls world. Although several studies have looked at welfare implications country's 'owl cafés', scale and scope Japanese owl trade, its potential consequences for conservation, remain largely unexplored. Here we present an overview volumes species found a selection pet stores cafés, based on two physical surveys, online survey, analysis CITES import data. We high number (n=1,914) from large variety (n=49) across total 92 establishments. records show that has highly increased over time. majority cafés likely to be captive bred origin, trade histories often difficult trace, legality parent stock impossible determine. Further complicating monitoring efforts gaps international data, mislabeling species, selective breeding, use outdated taxonomy. Considering market, facilitate improved warranted ensure sustainability.