From Big Cats to Reptiles: 'Tiger King' Director Unveils Dark Secrets of the Reptile Trade in 'Monsters of God'

The latest documentary series from 'Tiger King' director Eric Goode has sparked renewed interest in the dark world of reptile trade. With the release of 'Monsters of God', the 5-episode HBO documentary series about the massive, illegal, global reptile trade, Goode delves into a subject he has spent decades uncovering.

Goode, a reptile lover since childhood, has an intimate understanding of the reptile world, having watched and chronicled it for over 60 years. In his youth, the late 1960s and early 1970s saw a time when there were virtually no laws regulating the sale and trade of reptiles. It was a Wild West of reptile enthusiasts where buyers could acquire any reptile or animal they desired. 'There was no Endangered Species Act law, no Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species,' Goode recalled. 'The story that we chronicle in the show, I literally watched during my lifetime and knew quite a few of these people.'

Goode's fascination with reptiles evolved into a deeper understanding of the role they played in the wildlife trade and the staggering scale of the reptile trade. He became aware of the issue of the 'sixth extinction', a man-made extinction event caused by human activities, particularly the over-exploitation of reptile species. 'The first man-made extinction of a turtle species is a reality we are living through today,' Goode stated. This realization led Goode to investigate further, eventually giving rise to 'Monsters of God', a documentary series that sheds light on the dark underbelly of the reptile trade.

The documentary series, which took years to develop, required extensive research and filming. Goode and his team traveled the world, capturing a wide range of individuals involved in the reptile trade, from taxidermists and shark hunters to people using reptiles for medical research. The crew worked tirelessly to get all sides of the story, from zoo directors and law enforcement officials to dealers and smugglers. 'You might have to take a break to get all the sides,' Goode explained. 'To have the zoo voice, we talk with a zoo director. To get law enforcement, there are many levels: the DOJ and U.S. National Wildlife Service.'

The production process was complex, as Goode sought to get the inside story from those most involved in the reptile trade. He worked closely with wildlife organizations and the zoo community, leveraging his existing relationships to gain insight into the world of reptile trade. 'Eventually, we decide on the story that we think is worth following,' Goode said. 'This was much more complicated,' he admitted, 'but it was ultimately more important, in respect to the extinction crisis and the role the reptile trade plays in the global wildlife and exotic animal trade.'

Aware of the immense scale of the reptile trade, Goode was driven to expose the truth. Globally, the reptile trade has become a multi-billion-dollar business, with dealers, smugglers, and consumers all playing a part. 'I don't think a lot of people are aware of the scale of it,' Goode asserted. Goode hopes that 'Monsters of God' will raise awareness about the reptile trade and the devastating impact it has on species and ecosystems.

Does the 'Tiger King'-maker expect to top his previous documentary series? 'Honestly, I'm more proud of 'Monsters of God', Goode replied. While 'Tiger King' captured the imagination of the world, Goode believes 'Monsters of God' is more important, as it addresses the critical issue of species extinction. As for whether the audience will appreciate the complexity of the reptile trade, time will tell, but Goode is confident that his documentary series will shed new light on an important issue.