Environmental Considerations
The exotic skin industry involves various animals like crocodiles, snakes, and lizards. According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), approximately 500,000 crocodile skins are traded internationally each year. Up to 1.5 million wild animals are killed each year for their skins.
Health Implications
Recent pandemics have highlighted the interconnectedness of animal and human health. The exotic skin trade, with its cramped and unsanitary conditions, poses a similar risk. Animals are often kept in cages stacked on top of each other, creating a breeding ground for zoonotic diseases, which account for about 60% of all infectious diseases in humans.