Because of its vibrant coloration, the Panther Chameleon of Madagascar has been extremely popular in the pet trade. Before being listed on the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), more than 15,000 per year were taken from the wild and sold. Now, export levels are reduced and the main threat to this chameleon’s existence is the ongoing destruction of their habitat from slash and burn agriculture, logging, and cutting wood for fuel. The resultant soil erosion has caused astronauts to remark that Madagascar’s rivers, seen from space, appear to be running red with blood.