Escalating anthropogenic impacts on tropical biodiversity have increased the vulnerability of endemic species. Selective harvesting of species is one of the major threats to birds and mammal species in the tropics. Many indigenous cultures, however, have long established cultural associations with certain species. The hunting and trade of species have been mainly for subsistence and socio-cultural ties within their communities. However, contemporary threats associated with human population increase from within such societies and externally driven demand such as wildlife trafficking exacerbate the pressure particularly for vulnerable species.
