Aren’t Crocodiles, Ostriches and Stingrays endangered?
There is an INTERNATIONAL agreement known as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) which protects endangered species. The US is a founding member of CITES and therefore the US fish and wildlife services monitors and controls importation of such wildlife. All animal products being brought in to the United States must be filed with U.S. Fish and Wildlife services. A special license is needed to import and export these products. Most Crocodile species are no longer endangered and therefore some wild hunting is permitted. However, most crocodile meat and hide is farmed. Ostriches are not endangered but are also farmed for their unique meat, feathers and hides. Stingrays are not endangered and are a common food in the Far East diet.
