2017 N.E.W Pitch Film by Shivan ParusnathThere is a terrifyingly large illegal trade happening across the planet right now, and almost nobody knows about it. Reptiles are the most traded group of animals in the world, and unlike rhinos, elephants and pangolins - they are traded alive and whole, destined for life as pets. Poaching of wild reptiles for the pet trade has led to severe population declines, yet little is known about how poachers operate, and how animals leave their country of origin. In this short film, the illegal reptile trade in South Africa is investigated by biologist and filmmaker Shivan Parusnath.