Ecobreves – BRASIL: Animal Smugglers Pursued

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

RIO DE JANEIRO, Apr 1 2001 (IPS) - The campaign against the illegal trafficking of wild animals in Brazil will be a permanent mission of the federal police, the tax authorities, aviation officials and the Public Ministry, announced the Brazilian Institute of the Environment (IBAMA). Their actions will be guided by a map that indicates the points of capture and sales of the animals, and the roads, airports and border crossings most used by the smugglers. The authorities will also provide environmental education to the communities supplying the animals, offering them alternative and sustainable sources of income.

Trafficking of wild animals represents a 10-billion-dollar-a-year business worldwide and is only surpassed among illegal activities by arms and drugs smuggling. Ninety percent of the animals die during capture or transport.