The Rise of Capybara Cafes and the Global Pet Trade

In recent years, capybara cafes have emerged as a popular attraction across Asia, with establishments in cities like Bangkok, Jakarta, and Hanoi. These cafes allow patrons to interact with capybaras, the world's largest rodent, in settings designed for social media engagement. In Bangkok, for instance, customers pay 400 baht (£9.40) for a 30-minute session with capybaras, meerkats, and Chinese bamboo rats. The phenomenon is fueled by the animals' rising internet fame, with capybaras featured in over 600,000 TikTok posts. However, this trend raises concerns about the implications for wildlife conservation and the illegal pet trade.

The Guardian

While capybaras are not classified as endangered, their international trade is complex. They are abundant in Brazil, where they are protected, but exporting them is illegal in several South American countries, including Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. Experts indicate that the movement of capybaras from South America to Asia is often linked to illegal pet trafficking. Scott Roberton, executive director at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), notes that legal and illegal supply chains frequently overlap, with the same individuals controlling both. Although the capybaras in the Bangkok cafe are claimed to be sourced from "ethical farms" in Thailand, concerns persist about the laundering of illegally captured animals into legal markets.

The Guardian

The proliferation of exotic animal cafes has raised alarms among conservationists. Sue Lieberman, vice-president of international policy at WCS, states that the global pet trade is "really out of control" from a conservation perspective. In China, the number of businesses listed as petting zoos, including animal cafes, surged from fewer than 100 in 2020 to over 1,800 in 2025. This growth is accompanied by a 200% annual increase in pet cafes, which has significant implications for wildlife. A study co-authored by Timothy Bonebrake found that nearly half of the exotic species recorded in Asian cafes are threatened or have declining populations in the wild.

The Guardian

Critics argue that the rise of pet cafes stimulates demand for exotic animals, potentially leading to increased poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Roberton emphasizes that these cafes encourage the perception that owning exotic pets is desirable, which may lead individuals to seek out capybaras and other non-native species. Additionally, there are concerns about the ecological impact of releasing these animals into the wild, as capybaras can breed rapidly and adapt to various environments.

The Guardian

In response to the growing concerns surrounding the illegal pet trade, members of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have adopted motions aimed at curbing these practices. However, comprehensive data on the number of exotic animal cafes across Asia remains limited, complicating efforts to address the issue effectively. As the popularity of capybara cafes continues to rise, the intersection of wildlife conservation and consumer demand for exotic pets remains a critical area of concern.

The Guardian

“The global pet trade is really out of control, from a conservation perspective,” — Sue Lieberman, Vice-President of International Policy, Wildlife Conservation Society

The Guardian

“Laundering of illegally caught animals into legal supply chains is very common, with those animals often then used to establish or supplement breeding stock.” — Scott Roberton, Executive Director, Wildlife Conservation Society

The Guardian

“There is a high risk for them to be invasive,” — Elizabeth Congdon, Capybara Biologist, Bethune-Cookman University

The Guardian