
SARCA
SOUTHEAST ASIAN REPTILE CONSERVATION ALLIANCE

Vision & Mission
The SARCA collaboration is oriented by its vision for a reptile skin trade that maintains wild reptile populations, supports local and national economies, and promotes animal welfare principles. SARCA operates as a technical platform for a multi-stakeholder mission to advance responsible and transparent supply chains of reptile skins from Southeast Asia and drive improvements in the trade’s operating environment.
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OBJECTIVES
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Understand and assess Southeast Asian reptile skin supply chains used by luxury brands;
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Evidence legal trade, offtake that maintains wild populations and humane treatment of species;
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Demonstrate good practice labor conditions and operational management in supply chains;
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Ensure a viable, long-term trade with positive livelihood impacts; and
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Develop and facilitate collaborative actions and multi-stakeholder engagement to promote sustainable, fair, and humane practices in supply chains, such as capacity building and assurance programs.​
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SCOPE
27 species of snakes and lizards utilized for skins in Southeast Asia, with a specific focus on China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam - the major exporting countries for reptile skins. SARCA’s core work focuses on the species primarily used in the luxury supply chain, originating from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam:
Python breitensteini, Borneo Short-tailed Python (CITES)
Python bivittatus, Burmese Python (CITES)
Python brongersmai, Blood Python (CITES)
Python reticulatus, Reticulated Python (CITES)
Varanus salvator, Asian Water Monitor (CITES)
Homalopsis buccata (Ayers) Indonesia – (non-CITES)
SARCA has previously carried out studies on Coelognathus radiatus, Radiated Ratsnake (non-CITES) and Chinese Beauty Snake, Orthirophis taeniurus (non-CITES) from China and Homalopsis buccata, Ayers (non-CITES) from Cambodia.
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