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Abstract The recent decline in wild populations of amphibians worldwide coincides with the period of rapid growth in the global trade of wildlife. The potential for pathogen transmission within and beyond the pet amphibian trade network makes it important to explore the attitudes and behavior of businesses involved in the industry. We surveyed US businesses involved in the pet amphibian trade industry to characterize their attitudes and behaviors and identify business characteristics that could influence percieved risk of pathogen transmission in trade. We found that amphibian businesses acquire their animals from a variety of sources (e.g., importers, wholesalers, retailers, breeders, hobbyists, wild), are aware of the threat of emerging pathogens, and are concerned about the potential spillover of pathogens from captive to wild populations. Attitudes and behaviors of businesses toward pathogens varied among business types (e.g., size of business, the share of amphibian sales, mode of business operation). Moreover, businesses expressed a strong interest in acquiring amphibians that are free of pathogens and indicated a willingness to pay a price premium to acquire certified disease‐free animals. Our results indicate that the US pet amphibian trade industry is willing to participate in healthy (clean) trade practices and increasing product prices may be one option to compensate for expenses. A government program to support pathogen‐free certification would likely facilitate implementation.
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Understanding the demand for and value of pathogen‐free amphibians to US pet owners
Abstract Pathogen transmission through wildlife trade has become a significant One Health issue, but businesses involved in trade can take actions to minimize pathogen spread within and beyond trade networks. Such actions could include an industry‐led clean‐trade certification program whereby retailer costs for enhanced biosecurity and disease‐free product certification are offset by increased prices to consumers. However, we currently know little about the demand for, and value of such a program to consumers. With the case of pet amphibian owners in the United States, we assessed what characteristics make people more likely to demand certified wild animals and how much more in price premium they are willing to pay for such animals. Findings suggested that the demand for pathogen‐free amphibians was driven by the perceived risk of pathogen spillover to wild populations, behavioral control in preventing transmission, and other characteristics related to pet ownership and demographics. On average, respondents were willing to pay $38.65 per animal more for certified pathogen‐free amphibians than non‐certified amphibians. Findings lend support for the viability of an industry‐led clean‐trade program aimed at enhancing animal well‐being, increasing customer satisfaction, and reducing the risk of pathogen transmission within and beyond the pet trade network.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2207922
- PAR ID:
- 10442139
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Conservation Science and Practice
- Volume:
- 5
- Issue:
- 9
- ISSN:
- 2578-4854
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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