European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 18, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Moscow the pet Market weird unusual and endangered species on Sale Here Byjah Clenski Deutsche Presse Agenter want to buy a Crocodile it s easier than you might think at least at Moscow s huge pet Market the Tichy Ryno or Bird Market for those with a Bent for the truly weird the Tichy Ryno provides everything from scorpions scuttling about in Small plastic boxes to a huge Monitor Lizard strapped onto the top of a Box its Mouth taped shut the Lizard seller proudly showed a blood covered Bandage on his thumb to explain Why the Lizard had been immobilized. But the Market is More than a place to buy something strange for a Friend. It s one of Moscow s leading centers for Trade in endangered species. Igor Chestin a University professor and the author of a report on illegal animal traffic in Russia says most of the animals sold at the Market that Aren t bred in Russia Are in the country illegally. Chestin mentioned one Parrot species the Malacca Cockatiel which is sold openly at the Market despite Only a few Hundred being left alive. During soviet times trafficking in exotic pets was illegal and the whole scene was completely underground. But the end of the soviet Union and the almost Complete collapse of Law enforcement allowed the Market to come up aboveground. Now every weekend dozens of Parrot Monkey and reptile Sellers set up stalls in the Market jostling for space with the Sellers of More conventional animals like fish cats and goats and the huge fanged killer dogs that Appeal to russians. Most of the contraband is bought by order and Only some of it makes it to this Market said Sergei a muscled Man with a drooping Mustache who was Selling cobras and pythons. Russian buyers travel abroad usually to former communist allies of the soviet Union to buy the animals. Crocodiles and monkeys come from Angola. Asian monkeys snakes and lizards come from to Here Are More Rich people now who have thet Noney to buy these animals. Unfortunately they do not know How to take care of them and most of the animals  professor Igor Chestin Vietnam. Parrots Anco other exotic Birds come from Cuba and South America. Most of the animals Are smuggled in by gangs of three or four people. Mass importers rely on Good contacts with customs guards and often on faked papers from russian zoos. Prices for most of the animals Are far above the average monthly wage of about $100. A Large Blue Parrot sitting pensively in its Cage costs $2,500. A Small Monkey grabbing at passers by from its tiny Cage costs about $400. Chestin said there Are no estimates of How much the Trade was Worth in Russia. It is mostly a new phenomenon he said. There Are More Rich people now who have the Money to buy these animals. Unfortunately they do not know How to take care of them and most of the animals  most buyers Are captivated with the idea of buying something strange but have Little idea of what they have bought. As one seller said the cute Little crocodiles swimming in his aquarium grow up to be 7-foot monsters. The Market is unlikely to close in the near future. The environment Protection ministry and police argue Back and Forth Over who is responsible for policing the Trade but for now there s no control of any kind Over Trade in endangered species and exotica. Distributed by Scripps Howard new service 3 sure Steps to higher prying Job skills from Mac Eadens it cwt Cutet Howe Sluti liar ii hands on mining with ltm40mwl8t� ctr Icahn  Daman to mom up in your Job Yound pentium technology ready Send for Frh information today Cau today 06302-92120 authorized mar advertiser i. / am interested in earning a certificate in computer operation rank first name last name _ housing address 1 City i Home phone _ work phone Date entered Active duty q married q single age. Rotation Date. Discharge Date _ q i would like to use my g. I. Bill mail this Capon to Mac 8303 Arlington blvd. Suite 210 Fairfax a. 22031 ism is a registered trademark  business Mac Fiina. By saving americans ,11 or. Abdulla cordially invites you to visit his Oriental Rug shows at the following places a 17-22 August 1994 Phi Village Pavilion officers club Heidelberg 18-21 August 1994 Ramstein officers club Ramstein 19-21 August 1994 Patch Barracks officers club Stuttgart you can count on our Kef Krenck Over the last 20 years we have been Able to special a in the finest Oriental rugs from All Over the world from China Afghanistan Kashmir Tibet Pakistan Iran India Albania Rumania and Many More August 18, 1994 stripes Magazine 17