News Headline
Endangered Plants for Sale Online: Are They Legal?
Source
Scientific American
Publication Date
2013-07-25
Did you know that it is often legal to buy and sell endangered species of plants through the mail? It’s true. Take, for example, the rare Hawaiian palm tree Pritchardia remota, one of several species collectively known as lou’lu. The tree, like many in its genus, is listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), but right now there are several for sale on eBay. If those sellers have the right permit, then their sales are both legal and within the goals and scopes of the Endangered Species Act. Unfortunately, new research finds that the commercial trade of endangered plant species rarely lives up to law.