THE CURRENT STATUS OF REGULATION OF ASIAN SMALLCLAWED OTTERS Aonyx cinereus TRADE IN JAPAN.

The Asian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus is traded internationally to supply demand for pets, both legally and illegally. In 2019, the species was elevated from being listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to Appendix I, which generally prohibits international trade, as trade was deemed a threat to the conservation of this species. Although the Japanese national legislation strictly protects the CITES Appendix I-listed species, it is still possible to trade the Asian Small-clawed Otters domestically, subject to the necessary registration procedures. Here we look at current trade levels of Asian Small-clawed Otters in Japan and the impact of the CITES up-listing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]