Wild chelonians as pets in Brazil: biological profiles and social drivers

Brazil harbors the world’s richest biodiversity, making its native fauna a target for wildlife trafficking. This study aims to characterize the profile of chelonian species admitted to two Wildlife Screening Centers – CETAS in southeastern Brazil, focusing on taxonomy, demographic patterns, and final destination. We also adopted an ethnoherpetological approach to investigate public perceptions of chelonians as pets, based on face-to-face and online surveys conducted across Brazil. A total of 68 chelonians from six species without legal documentation were admitted to the Center’s facilities. Chelonoidis carbonarius was the most frequently admitted species (81%) and also the most commonly reported pet (40%) in the Vale do Rio Doce mesoregion, while Trachemys dorbigni was the most popular pet nationwide (12%). Approximately half of the respondents acquired chelonians through donations and would surrender them to environmental agencies or zoos if no longer interested. Chelonian admissions at the Centers increased by 175% over three years. Our findings highlight the role of social and cultural factors in driving the illegal trade of chelonians in Brazil, reinforcing the need for strengthened enforcement, clearer regulatory frameworks, including in digital environments, and targeted environmental education to reduce demand and encourage societal participation in combating wildlife trafficking.