Italy bans import, trade of exotic animals

Italy has banned the importation and trade of exotic animals caught in the wild, after a decree was approved at the end of October. According to animal rights association LAV (anti-vivisection league) more than 1.2 million wild exotic animals every year get caught and brought to Italy, and struggle to survive in captivity and different climates.

"Incredible but true, until yesterday, it was legally possible to buy a bat in Italy", said Gianluca Felicetti, president of LAV. In fact one of the principles that inspired the new measure is public health. According to the World Health Organization, 75% of epidemics and pandemics of the last century stem from zoonoses - animal diseases transmitted to humans, which can be fought by limiting these trades.