The People Against a Controversial Topic Dealing with Bearded Dragons- Supplying the Pet Trade with Beardies

[PetWatch is a program of EcoHealth Alliance  which provides consumers with a science-based list of the Best, Fair and Worst choices of exotic pets based on extensive research aimed at protecting native wildlife and resources, global biodiversity and public health.]

Dear Petwatch,

            I also agree with your program when it comes to the idea that taking wild Bearded Dragons from their native habitats of Australia is not the best way to go about supplying people with these reptiles as pets. It is in the breed’s best interest to be supplied to pet stores through captive-breeding versus illegally catching and importing the animals. These reptiles do very well when it comes to breeding in captivity, and by doing this, the native populations are being protected and preserved in Australia.

            People who do provide these pets through catching natives and importing them may do so because they understand that their population numbers are very stable in the wild and because of the fact that they inhabit many parts of Australia makes it unlikely that catching them for the pet trade will endanger the species. Although I, too, do not agree with illegal catching and importing of these creatures, their intentions may be slightly appropriate when it comes to the breed’s population numbers.

http://www.petwatch.net/browse_animals/reptiles/43-bearded_dragon