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Opinion · Jun 6, 2026 · Citadel Culebra Faculty

Conservation Through Commerce

A legal, healthy captive trade can be one of conservation's strongest allies. The case for the market.

Citadel CulebraOpinion
Conservation, Research & Human-Wildlife ConflictConservation

It's fashionable to treat the reptile trade and conservation as enemies. The reality is more useful: a well-run captive trade reduces wild collection, funds research, builds assurance populations, and creates millions of people invested in these animals' survival.

What this resource covers — captive breeding vs. wild collection, economic incentives for conservation, assurance colonies, the criticisms answered, and doing commerce responsibly.

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