Underground reptile and amphibian market surfaces at Ashford International Hotel

A public hunt to discover the location of an underground reptile and amphibian market is planned for 13^th The July 2024 event, somewhere in Ashford, ended on Friday when organisers revealed it would be held at the Ashford International Hotel. Following the cancellation of the event at a school in Gillingham, event organisers announced that details of the new Ashford venue would not be made public. Instead, details of the event were shared privately with members of the secret organising group, the Amphibian and Reptile Group (ARC), on Friday evening after the council offices closed.

Undercover investigators from the Animal Welfare Agency and Freedom for Animals gathered evidence of pet trading at the market, an illegal activity under a 1983 amendment to the Pets Act 1951. Although the event was described as an exhibition, investigators filmed the sale of animals and the offering of animals for sale at reduced prices. Traders, including licensed pet shops, displayed a wide range of reptile and amphibian species alongside their business names and banners. Commercial sellers made it clear that animals were available for purchase and that cash or card payments were accepted. Evidence of what campaigners believe to be illegal activity obtained at the event at the Ashford International Hotel will be passed to Ashford Borough Council.

The treatment of the animals at the event was very poor, typical of reptile markets. Films were made of wild animals barely able to move in small plastic containers, without food, water or a place to hide – conditions that inevitably lead to animal suffering. Animal rights groups expressed surprise that a four-star hotel was involved in such notorious activities. Earlier in the week, the Ashford International Hotel was contacted, along with other establishments, and informed of the public appeal for information, but the general manager refused to confirm or deny that the event was taking place there.

Elaine Toland, director of the Animal Welfare Agency, said:

“The hotel had been warned in advance of what was likely to happen at this event. We had already obtained evidence of the likelihood of criminal activity and passed it on to Ashford Borough Council, and this same evidence led to the cancellation of the event at Gillingham School. Ashford International Hotel, what were you thinking?!”

Laura Walton, Campaigns Manager at Freedom for Animals, said:

“Our investigators found what they always find at these events: animal suffering and activities that we believe are criminal. So it’s not surprising! We are, however, very surprised that the Ashford International Hotel hosted such an event, especially given the well-documented problems with reptile markets and the public outcry they generate.”

Dr Charlotte Regan, Wildlife Campaigner for World Animal Protection, said:

“Every reptile or amphibian sold in one of these markets is a sentient animal, not a commodity to be exploited for profit. Reptile markets are inherently associated with a number of serious welfare issues that can cause significant animal suffering. They are outdated events that should have no place in our society.”

According to scientific studies, reptile markets pose a serious risk to public health due to the proximity of people to the animals and the contamination of the premises after the event. Sick and stressed animals are much more likely to shed pathogens and spread diseases, and vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women and the elderly are at greatest risk, particularly in the case of reptile-related salmonellosis.

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