Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If some are, which species are endangered?

Also, I would love to know if there are breeding programs that I can contribute to in repopulating those types of chameleons species..

Thanks.

Last time I checked no species were listed as endangered or threatened under the CITES treaty but some are clearly in trouble due to habitat destruction in Madagascar and Africa. Some European nations have chosen to close their borders to chameleon imports. The chameleon group is not split out and listed by species on CITES but the family is listed in Appendix II, meaning their exportation to member nations is regulated but allowed. Some countries such as Madagascar are setting export quotas for specific species, partially because of pressure from the CITES Animals' Committee. There has been a petition to list Parson's chameleon as endangered but it has not happened yet.

As for breeding animals to repopulate wild stocks, there are no organized attempts to do this. Animals produced out of the native country or habitat could actually be a threat to wild ones because of exotic parasites, nonnative strains of bacteria or e coli, disease that the wild animals could have no resistance to, poor genetic health, failure to adapt to a wild environment, etc. Some chameleon breeding farms are supposed to exist, but it is hard to tell if these farms are just fancy holding areas for wild caught animals or are in fact producing animals for trade. It is hard to inspect or regulate them in the poorer nations also.

The best way to help wild populations is to buy cbb animals yourself and recommend others do too, support companies who do not import wc, be knowledgeable about products you buy that may come from rainforests (such as the exotic hardwoods), if you breed do it responsibly, and keep your animals healthy for a long life.

Thats good news though. I would hate it to know that their populations are increasingly decreasing.

I am always knowledgable when buying anything to make sure that I dont support those who dont deserve support.

I do have 61 veiled cham eggs incubated..and cant wait till they hatch. (my first batch!!) I did it not for the money, but for the love of the animals. I love the idea of making my cham family grow... (and i regard them as my family).. i will be giving away some hatchlings (after good 2-3 months in good care) for free to those who i deem as good foster 'parents'