Online Shopping Takes an Exotic Turn
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Written By Reprise Media | August 18, 2005 | Share This
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In addition to the latest Harry Potter and a great new pair of shoes, shopping online can also get you a bobcat, a monkey or an albino raccoon delivered to your door for as little as $100 dollars down, Visa and Mastercard accepted.
Wired News’ Rachel Metz has the story in this report titled Illegal Animal Trade goes online which focuses on a recent study by the International Fund for Animal Welfare that positions the Internet as a hotbed for the sale of exotic pets and animal products - many of them illegal and made from endangered species.
IAF spokesman Chris Cutter references several sites allegedly selling endangered animals, including RainbowPrimates.com (editor’s note: the pictures of monkeys dressed up in baby clothes make this one a must-view) and AwesomeExotics.com.
The IAF is working with law enforcement and site owners to curb illegal activities, including Internet giant eBay, who does not permit trading of live animals but does allow the sale of legal taxidermy animals and animal parts. Check out the firm’s Animals and Wildlife Policy and get a glimpse of the dead animal goodies currently up for auction.
Topics: ECommerce |