Amazonia, the world´s largest tropical rain forest, is often assumed to be a virtually untouched wilderness. The region is often referred to as a demographic void; there is on average only about one person per sq. km. Yet in response to international market forces, the hand of man has penetrated deep into the imposing forests. Since colonial times, wildlife, particularly along rivers, has been exploited on a large scale for commercial purposes. This paper focuses on the effects of the trade on some aquatic animals.