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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering updating a ban on importing salamanders into the U.S. and transporting them across state lines to stop the spread of a deadly fungal disease and reduce suffering in the pet trade. This rule would protect wild salamanders from extinction and prevent countless others from being exploited and mistreated in captivity. Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to approve this critical measure!

Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is a highly contagious fungus that kills salamanders by attacking their skin. While it hasn't been found in the U.S. yet, similar fungi like Bd Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) have already devastated frog populations worldwide.

Amphibians—including salamanders—are essential to ecosystems, helping control insect populations and supporting biodiversity. In Defense of Animals actively works to protect frogs and other amphibians, and stopping Bsal before it reaches the U.S. is critical to preventing another ecological disaster.

In 2016, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) published an interim rule that banned 201 species of salamanders from being imported into the U.S. under the Lacey Act. However, since then more research has demonstrated the need to support the 2016 rule as final and add more species to the list who are known carriers, which will ban an estimated 426 species from coming into the U.S.

This ban would also strike a major blow to the cruel pet trade, which treats salamanders and other wild animals as disposable products. Earlier this year, we protested the Reptile Super Show in Pomona, California, where salamanders were crammed into tiny plastic tubs and denied proper care. The exotic pet trade fuels animal suffering, depletes wild animal populations, and spreads disease, endangering both animals and their ecosystems.

By finalizing this rule, the USFWS would protect salamanders in the wild and stop many from being exploited in captivity. Take action now to help save salamanders and keep them where they belong — in their natural habitats, not in the pet trade!

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Protect Salamanders from a Deadly Disease & the Pet Trade!

I urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to finalize the updated 2016 interim rule on importing into the United States and transporting salamanders across state lines to protect wild populations from the devastating fungal disease Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal).

This highly contagious fungus kills salamanders by attacking their skin, and while it has not yet reached U.S. salamander populations, similar fungi like Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) have already caused catastrophic declines in amphibian species worldwide. Now is the time to act, while we still have a chance to prevent Bsal from devastating our wild salamander populations and the ecosystems that depend on them. Salamanders play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity and controlling insect populations, and we must protect them before this disease has a chance to take hold.

This rule would also have the additional benefit of reducing suffering in the pet trade, which treats salamanders and other amphibians as commodities rather than sentient beings. At events like the Reptile Super Show, salamanders are crammed into tiny plastic tubs, denied proper care, and sold to buyers who are often unprepared to meet their complex needs. The exotic pet trade fuels animal suffering, depletes wild animal populations, and spreads disease — posing risks to both animals and their ecosystems.

Finalizing this rule is a necessary and proactive step to safeguard wild salamanders from a looming ecological disaster. I urge you to approve this measure to protect salamanders in their natural habitats while we still have the opportunity to act.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.