What do we do?
IMARC brings together science, outreach, and practical solutions to support responsible reptile conservation. We conduct scientific research to inform best practices, engage communities and industry through outreach and education, and have developed a certification program that helps ensure reptile skin supply chains are sustainable, ethical, and traceable.
Science
IMARC mobilizes squamate
experts and researchers in
the three main lizard and
snake skin trade regions:
Asia | Africa | South America
Industry Empowerment
IMARC works with people across the reptile value chain, supporting those on the ground with the knowledge, skills, and practical guidance needed to operate responsibly and sustainably.
Certification
The Responsible Reptile Sourcing
Standard (RRSS), developed by IMARC
through public consultation in
accordance with the ISEAL Code was launched in 2026.
Science
Monitoring and traceability
IMARC has developed scientific methods and long‑term monitoring programs to evaluate wild reptile populations under harvest for trade. Its CITES‑endorsed guide, produced after a decade of research and field testing, provides practical step‑by‑step instructions for monitoring snake harvests and is available in multiple languages.
Working with wildlife authorities in Indonesia and Malaysia, IMARC has trained more than 26 scientists who collect population data across key regions, helping inform quotas and support sustainable management. Monitoring takes place regularly across sites, with some surveyed monthly and others annually depending on species and research needs.
Findings from long‑term monitoring of pythons, water monitors, and water snakes show these populations remain healthy and abundant, and the data has also informed regulations such as minimum harvest sizes.
To support this work, IMARC developed an app that digitalises field data collection and enables faster assessment of harvest sustainability by government authorities and research networks. The app is also connected to IMARC’s tag‑based traceability system, allowing users to scan barcodes or QR codes and access information linked to each tag, tracking animals from capture through processing to the final buyer.
Science hubs
IMARC relies on three geographic Science Hubs to help achieve its goals: South America, Africa, and Asia.
Science Hubs work at the regional and national level to assist in coordinating and organising IMARCs scientific activities within the respective geographies. They help represent IMARC and provide a link between IMARC members and local stakeholders.
There are currently 18 Scientific Experts spread across the three geographies: ten (10) in Asia; four (4) in Africa; and four (4) in South America.
Industry empowerment
IMARC has delivered extensive capacity-building programs across Southeast Asia, supporting stakeholders throughout the reptile skin supply chain to strengthen their knowledge and skills in responsible animal handling, transport, husbandry, and welfare management.
Building on existing industry practices, IMARC's workshops focus on promoting the consistent application of internationally recognized animal welfare standards and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. The programs combine classroom-based learning with practical, hands-on training to help participants implement best-practice approaches that support animal welfare, operational efficiency, and responsible supply chain management.
Delivered in local languages and supported by internationally recognized animal welfare specialists, these workshops are designed to build long-term capacity, enhance professional standards, and encourage responsible stewardship across the industry. To date, IMARC has trained more than one thousand supply chain personnel in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, contributing to improved welfare awareness and stronger sustainability outcomes throughout the region.
Certification
In 2018, IMARC and the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office released Welfare Principles for Snakes and Monitor Lizards in the Southeast Asian Skin Trade, a practical resource designed for stakeholders who lacked access to science-based animal welfare information. Developed and reviewed by international experts, the publication outlines current trade practices and provides clear, actionable guidance for improving animal welfare.
Promoting high welfare standards throughout the reptile skin trade is a core objective of IMARC, supported through science-based guidance, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building initiatives.
Building on this foundation, IMARC developed the Responsible Reptile Sourcing Standard (RRSS) in collaboration with a multidisciplinary group of experts, including government agencies, NGOs, agricultural and conservation specialists, veterinarians, and commercial stakeholders from producer regions.