Which countries are cited as having wild ball python populations facing conservation threats?

Ghana, Togo, and Benin

While the Yellow Belly gene is thriving and diversifying within the captive breeding community due to decades of focused genetic work, the wild populations of ball pythons face increasing external pressures in their native habitats. The text specifically identifies Ghana, Togo, and Benin as source countries where wild ball python populations are currently enduring conservation threats. These threats are primarily attributed to issues such as ongoing poaching activities targeting the animals for the pet trade and continued habitat changes that reduce their natural environments. The success of captive breeding, anchored by foundational genes like YB, provides a contrast to the challenges faced by these wild populations.