Animals 'disappearing' from the wild as more people seek exotic pets (opens original article in a new tab)

The popularity of exotic pets is rising, leading to concerns about wildlife conservation as animals are taken from the wild, driven by social media and demand, with increased trafficking and illegal trade reported globally.

• Meerkats and other exotic pets are becoming more popular, driven by social media and demand for unique pets.
• Conservationists warn that the exotic pet trade is causing protected and vulnerable species to disappear from the wild.
• The global exotic pet industry involves millions of animals and is growing rapidly, with increased trafficking and illegal trade.