There has been no regulation at all of keeping wildlife. You can have a gorilla in your house if you want to. Finally, that may be changing. Teams of police and wildlife agents are training to shut down markets and curbside animal vendors. And while officials have no plans to confiscate animals already living in homes, restaurants and hotels, they pledge that the open trade of wildlife is on the way out.
Animals are everywhere.
Cars pulling up to intersections in the center city are quickly swarmed by strolling merchants. Another vendor thrusts a margay cub toward a driver. The prices are premium because this intersection borders a wealthy neighborhood known as a good market for pets. Other cages house an older toucan and a pair of parrots. Especially the older generation.