Wildlife
Trafficking
The
illegal trade of wild animals is the third largest clandestine activity in terms of dirty
money volume, behind only the trafficking of drugs and arms.
Brazil
is one of the main targets of the traffickers due to the immense diversity of fish, birds,
insects, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and others.
Transportation
conditions are terrible. Many animals die before arriving to their final destination.
Young animals are removed from the forest, cross borders hidden inside trafficker
backpacks to be sold like merchandise. |
|
Every
year, over 38 million wild animals are illegally removed from their habitats in the
country, 40% of them to be sold abroad, according to a report by the Federal Police.
The
internal trafficking is usually carried out by truck drivers, bus drivers and travelers.
The international scheme, on the other hand, involves a large number of people.
Animals
are caught or hunted in the Northern, Northeastern and Wetlands regions, usually by very
poor people, and pass through several middlemen before going for sale in the Rio-São
Paulo axis or abroad.
Animals are sent to pet shops, private collectors – who prefer rare, endangered
species! – or for scientific purposes (snakes, toads, spiders...).
With the
deforestation, many species are in the list of endangered species, especially in the
Atlantic Forest. For additional information, visit the website www.renctas.org.br of the Brazilian
Network to Combat the Wild Animal Trafficking, MMA, IBAMA, SOS FAUNA or CITIES - The Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
| According to IBAMA, the
disordered exploitation of the Brazilian territory is a leading cause for the extinction
of some species. Deforestation and degradation of natural environments, the advancement of
agriculture, the subsistence and predatory hunting, the trade of animals and products
resulting from hunting, the illegal capture (trafficking) and the introduction of
non-native species in the national territory are among the factors that effectively
contribute to the extinction process. This process has been increasing in the last two
decades as both population and poverty grow. |
 |
What we can do about :
Do not
purchase wild animals. According to the law, it is crime to keep native species captive
without the certificate of origin.
Each captured individual is needed by the environment and will be missed for the
descendents that it will not have.
Also, do not buy craftsmanship items made of animal parts such as colorful feathers.
Be alert.
If you come across the trade in fairs or deposits, call the police. Provide detailed
information on the occurrence.
Report it to IBAMA through the Green Line Phone: 0800 61 8080.
If animals are offered to you along roadsides, do not buy and reprimand the sellers by
telling them this is crime and they should be away from that activity or they might be in
trouble with the law.
Birds are
born to be free, not stressed in the boredom of a small cage.
After all, what are their wings made for ?
Captive animals lose their self-defense capacity and can only survive back in nature if
attended by a specialist.
If you
decide to have a pet, there are thousands of abandoned dogs and cats to be adopted. Refer
to your city hall or animal protection entities.
Only the
population awareness will discourage such an illegal trade and protect the animals’
right to life and freedom.
If nobody
buys, nobody sells, nobody hunts.
Cages be
extinct !
Learn
more: Convention on
Biological Diversity (Rio-92).
Video 1 Vídeo 2
Tips : Animal welfare
www.natureba.com.br
On-line
Environmental Education for All