Open, unregulated trade in wildlife in Morocco’s markets

摘要: BACKGROUNDCursory reports suggest that unregulated wildlife trade has existed for a long time in Morocco (Lambert, 1969; Highfield and Bayley, 2007). Species such as the Mediterranean Chameleon Chamaeleo chameleon, Spurthighed Tortoise Testudo graeca and Desert Monitor Lizard Varanus griseus have been used in medicine since medieval times (Alves et al., 2013) and are still frequently used in Morocco (Highfield and Bayley, 2007). For example, users believe chameleons hold magical powers; monitor lizards harbour the souls of ancestors; and that monitor lizard heads are a potent talisman against snaJe bites (Highfield and Bayley, 2007). Bell’s Dabb Lizard Uromastyx acanthinura is thought to bring good luck to a new household; cleaned out and dried, they are used as bottles to feed babies (Highfield and Bayley, 2007). Leopard Panthera pardus sJins have been traded in Morocco (Fogg, 1938; Cuyten, 2011) and these and the derivatives of other animals are still used in the production of souvenirs and decorations for both tourists and local people (Highfield and Bayley, 1996; Benhardouze et al., 2004; Martin and Perry-