AW: Re: Laotriton laoensis
Yesterday I heard through the grapevine that it is most likely these animals were captured to be used for food. An advanced hobbyist told me they were supposed to be sold as food and were purchased to be exported as pets.
Hello,
I contacted the responsible authority in nature conservation in Laos. She is very angry about this practice and sees the people that take the newts from Laos as thieves. The newts are eaten by the natives since generations – this is not the problem.
But in the last years - although they are protected – they are sold; most for drying, but also for the pet trade.
I think the pet trade is the lesser problem, but in Laos they make no difference.
But they acknowledge that “it is nice” to breed them so successful in Europe!
So – make sure, that you also breed them successful in USA. Breeds hundreds of them, to dry out the illegal import!
Paul