TRAFFIC
Methods
and means
of capture
WILDLIFE TRAFFIC IN BRAZIL
Methods and means of capture
The methods by which wildlife is captured in nature are cruel and indicate that the poachers have no respect at all for animal life.
- BIRDS, which are by far the animals most subject to trade in Brazil, are usually caught with a so called fog net, very thin and almost invisible to birds, usually 2 to 3 meters high and up to 20 meters wide hanging down in the woods. A poacher can catch 1000 entangled birds in just one day.
Particularly in the state of Bahia poachers act at puddles where birds come to drink water at sunset. Most of the puddle is covered with plastic so that the birds concentrate in a smaller area, where a fog net has been set.
(Click to enlarge)
There is a peculiarity about these nets which concerns their high costs. Depending on how the bird is caught in it, it is sometimes impossible for the poacher to take out the bird without tearing the net. Instead of damaging his valuable 'instrument of work', the poacher cuts away the part of the animal that is entangled.Anyone can buy such a fog net in stores for hunting and fishing articles.
Trap cages: these cages can carry up to 8 traps. Poachers attract birds by putting an animal of the same species inside the cage. Traps can also be made of small nets hanging from the cage.
(Click to enlarge)
Glues and depilatory wax: these are strong adhesives used on perching trees. The bird’s feet get stuck to the branch and as the animal tries to get free his wings can also get glued. In a very cold-blooded act the poacher takes out the animals tearing them away by force or cutting the part that is stuck without any concern of mutilation or harm to the birds. The pictures below show some animals injured by this cruel method of capture.(Click to enlarge)
OTHER ANIMALS
- TURTLES: poachers usually take their eggs and wait for the eclosion.
- IGUANAS: shaking the trees where they spend most of their time makes them fall to the earth. Those who remain on the tree are caught by their neck with a catch pole.
- PRIMATES: Only the young have commercial value in traffic. Usually they are captured at night and their parents always get killed – otherwise they would assault the poacher.
