SARCA
SOUTHEAST ASIAN REPTILE CONSERVATION ALLIANCE

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

• Understand and assess Southeast Asian reptile skin supply chains used by luxury brands;

• Evidence legal trade, offtake that maintains wild populations and humane treatment of species;

• Demonstrate good practice labor conditions and operational management in supply chains;

• Ensure a viable, long-term trade with positive livelihood impacts; and

• 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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