The Coalition to Address Reptile and Amphibian Trade (CARAT), is an alliance of biologists, conservationists, social scientists, trade specialists, and other experts committed to combating illegal and unsustainable trade of reptiles and amphibians globally. Following the 2024 World Congress of Herpetology, CARAT was formed to fill the urgent need for greater global collaboration and knowledge sharing among those trying to address the complex issues surrounding herpetofauna trade. As wildlife trade operates worldwide at both the domestic and international scale, it is essential to share challenges and best practices and to coordinate actions that can help mitigate or preferably halt the threats posed by illegal and unsustainable trade. The charter linked below lays out our group’s purpose, how we work together, and the guiding principles for engagement with CARAT.
Our Work
CARAT is an action-oriented group that is structured around three Thematic Working Groups that guide our work – 1) Supply and Demand; 2) Guidance and Communications; and 3) Policy, Laws, and Regulations. Cross-cutting topics also include topics such as disease, animal welfare, and research, which are integrated into all three Thematic Working Groups. These Groups also rely on Task Forces to address time-bound needs such as geographic initiatives, conference planning, or funding demands. Task Forces are developed ad hoc to meet a specific need of CARAT that may not be clearly defined within one of the Thematic Working Groups or helps to oversee cross-cutting projects. Task Forces must be time bound; activities that are expected to be longer term should consider being placed under one of the Thematic Working Groups or result in the establishment of a new Thematic Working Group. Our recommendations and actions are determined by evidence-based, scientific research and the extensive expert knowledge base within CARAT.
Thematic Working Groups
Cross-cutting topics such as disease, animal welfare, and research are considered across the three Thematic Working Groups:
Supply and Demand
Guidance and Communications
Policy, Laws, and Regulations
Current Task Forces
Conferences
Funding
Participation in CARAT
CARAT aims to engage a diverse range of individuals and organizations dedicated to reptiles and amphibians to raise awareness and support evidence-based action to address threats of illegal and unsustainable trade, while ensuring the group remains manageable and composed of members actively committed to our Mission.
For full details on participation, please view the Charter. If you are interested in joining CARAT, please fill out the CARAT Participant Interest Form.
Contributing Members
Contributing Members actively engage in CARAT and are expected to participate in one or more Thematic Working Groups or Task Forces. Members may provide technical expertise or feedback, present at and attend webinars, help secure resources for CARAT, or provide support with other activities.
Associates
An Associate is an individual who supports CARAT’s Mission and Vision but does not actively participate in CARAT’s Thematic Working Groups or leadership. Associates will receive ongoing communication from CARAT and may be called upon to share expertise.
For questions, please contact the CARAT coordinator at conservingherps@gmail.com.