Wildlife for Sale is one of three conservation themes that Wellington Zoo plans to develop to help promote the need for the sustainable use of New Zealand's natural resources and a balance between humans and nature.

This theme will explain human exploitation of animals and the threat to their survival.

Many animals are hunted and captured alive for the pet trade. Many are killed for their body parts, which are used in traditional medicines or as trophies. The survival of the Sumatran tiger and Malayan sun bear is severely threatened by these trades, which are thought to be more lucrative than the drug trade in some parts of Asia.

In Africa great apes, chimpanzees and some antelope species are increasingly endangered as they are killed to provide bushmeat for locals and tourists.