Legal Status of Tarantulas in Mexico and the World
Nowadays, Mexican tarantulas are protected under the GENERAL LAW ON WILDLIFE and its REGULATION, as well as the OFFICIAL MEXICAN NORM NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2001, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION – FLORA AND FAUNA SPECIES NATIVE TO MEXICO.Therefore, it is automatically mandatory to have a special permit, issued exclusively by SEMARNAT (Mexican Department of Environment and Natural Resources), for their transportation, breeding, removal, and marketing, punishable by fines or incarceration by the regulating authorities.
Internationally, they are protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). This is an international agreement made between the governments of all countries in the world. Its purpose is to oversee that international trade of wild plants and animal specimens does not constitute a threat for their survival.
Tarantulas are included in Appendix II. This is the criteria used to include them in this category:
Criteria for the inclusion of species in Appendix II, with amendment to paragraph 2 b) of Article II of the Convention
A species can be included in Appendix II, with amendment to paragraph 2 b) of the Article II, if it complies with one of the following criteria:
- In the way they are traded. Specimens of the species traded look like other species included in the Appendix II (with amendment to what is stated in paragraph 2 a of Article II) or in Appendix I, therefore it is unlikely that authorities in charge of compliance who encounter specimens of species included in the CITES Appendices can differentiate them; or
- There are pressing reasons, other than the preceding Criteria A, to ensure that there is an effective trade of the species currently included in appendices.
These are the specific species mentioned, as they are written:
Theraphosidae, Red-kneed tarantulas, tarantulas
Brachypelma spp. (This means that this entire genus is protected)
We should also mention that some scorpions are included here, as well, such as:
Therefore, to import or export any of these creatures, you must have an authorization from CITES that should always be stated on the invoice for the animal purchased.
Illegal trafficking is a multimillion dollar business that is resulting in the loss of these beautiful creatures. If you need more information, read this interesting article written by Biologist Gerardo Garcia, from the UMA “ARACNOFILIA“.
Wildlife Population Status in the world, illegal trading, and conservation actions.
HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO ME, EVERY CREATURE REMOVED FROM ITS ENVIRONMENT, EVEN IF IT IS AUTHORIZED BY THE AUTHORITIES AND HAS LEGAL PAPERWORK, IS AN ILLEGAL ANIMAL. THE ONLY WAY TO WIN THIS BATTLE IS BY PURCHASING ANIMALS BRED IN CAPTIVITY.
For more information on CITES, visit their website.
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