Dying for décor: quantifying the online, ornamental trade in a distinctive bat species, Kerivoula picta

Abstract

Many wild-animal species are harvested and sold as ornaments—a lucrative trade that contributes to the global extinction crisis and increasingly happens online. Unfortunately, research and policies addressing this threat mainly focus on charismatic and easily identified taxa, leaving the online trade in bats under-researched and bats poorly protected. In this first, comprehensive study of this trade, we focused on Kerivoula picta, a Near-Threatened species known for its striking looks. Using semi-automated data mining and manual data collection, we quantified the extent, dynamics and economic value of the trade on Amazon, eBay and Etsy. Of the 856 unique bat listings retrieved, 86% were on Etsy, 25% were for K. picta, and numbers of listings underestimated the number of individuals being traded. Most listings were for entire-body bats displayed in frames, and price (mainly driven by the manner of display) peaked in mid-December. The United States was the dominant destination and vendor country. Seller tactics to attract buyers included false claims of sustainable sourcing and mentions of goth culture and holiday shopping. Overall, our study paints a troubling picture of a trade whose ecological impacts remain unknown (in the absence of population data) but that is likely illegal, unethical and unsustainable and may pose a biosecurity risk. We recommend formal legal protection for K. picta (by inclusion in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), field studies to understand population trends and the supply chain and social pressure to curb demand, including grassroots action and research to understand its effectiveness.