The end of the worst Christmas present: Leboncoin puts an end to the sale of wild animals

Every year, as the end-of-year holidays approach, many French people start looking for the perfect Christmas gift. However, among the gift ideas circulating on the Internet, there is one that has long sparked controversy and concern: the sale of wild animals on online platforms like Leboncoin. But this year, an important decision was made to put an end to this worrying practice.

We must salute this decision which took around ten years, but we are not going to be a killjoy... We must also thank the IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) which led the negotiations with Leboncoin.

Obviously, these exotic and more or less cute animals do not all come from Santa's chalet and from legal breeders. In France, wildlife trafficking is thriving. According to Interpol, wildlife trafficking is increasing by 5-7% per year. The trade in pets and related products would even be one of the most lucrative in the world, thus approaching the podium of drug trafficking, counterfeiting and human beings, without forgetting arms trafficking!

A few years ago, the penalty incurred by an illegal reseller did not exceed a fine of 15,000 euros and no sentence was imposed. With rare parrots like Lear's Macaw trading at 100,000 euros and rhino horns reaching 40,000 euros per kilo, the sanction was ridiculous, therefore not dissuasive.

But today, a wildlife trafficker risks up to 150,000 euros fine and 3 years in prison, much more if he is involved in an organized gang.

The message to convey is simple: let's stop considering animals as objects, including as objects of emotional transition, warm and cute "cuddly toys" to scratch while watching television, whether they are dogs or classic cats, or even New Pets (NAC) in “funny” mode.

Let's stop buying or giving them on impulse.

It is essential to raise public awareness of this issue and encourage a more responsible approach to pet adoption and acquisition. Too often, animals are purchased on impulse, without taking into account the long-term commitment that this represents. The SPA estimates that at least 100,000 animals are abandoned each year in France, which underlines the importance of showing responsibility and thinking seriously before making the decision to welcome an animal into your home.

In conclusion, Leboncoin's decision to end the sale of wild animals is a positive step forward in the protection of biodiversity in France. It shows that awareness and advocacy efforts can have a significant impact on the way animals are treated and traded. However, there is still much work to be done to end wildlife trafficking and to promote responsible attitudes towards pets. It is our duty to continue to support efforts to protect wildlife and promote animal welfare.