TRAFFIC
Figures
WILDLIFE TRAFFIC IN BRAZIL
- Figures: We can only guess
Everyday thousands of wild animals reach larger urban areas to supply a trade of cruelty and greed.It is almost impossible to provide statistical data on an illegal activity, especially regarding the number of animals smuggled. Rescued wildlife is all we can quantify. And here, we can assure that it represents a very small part of wildlife trafficked in the country.
From those rescued animals, very few will be released back into the wild. Since all of these animals played a decisive role in the ecosystem they once inhabited, the impact caused to these biomes is immense – and threatens all live on Earth.
DEATH IN TRAFFICA widespread information quantifies the dead animals in traffic, stating a 10:9 ratio between animals trafficked and animals that perish, or in other words, only one out of 10 animals would reach his destination alive.
This does not seem to be realistic. If we think of the commercial value a dealer places on his animals it is unlikely to conceive such a loss in animal lives and thus in his profits. Also, based on the experience of countless police raids to markets and of rescue actions since 1989, we have usually found more than 90% of the confiscated animals alive– or nine out of ten.
On the other hand, this does not mean the animals receive care and attention from their trafficker. On the contrary: poaching and transport conditions prove these criminals to be unscrupulous dealers of animal lives. The more fragile creatures won’t resist the rigors of transport.
Deprived from space, some animals can’t turn around in their cages, and lights are always on so that their metabolism doesn’t fall; a constant state of alert, and temperatures much lower than they are used to – these are some of the conditions animals face in trips that might take up to three days.
Inevitably highly distressed animals are the result. Therefore besides immediate care after confiscation, the adequate place to do this will be the most quiet possible. It is only some hours later, after regaining their strength with hydration, food and medication that the animals are ready for another transport.
For the proper first aid care to rescued wildlife, refer to Vet Care.
“Unfortunately too many regions in Brazil are ruled by wildlife trade. To stop this we must be committed and work restlessly. We all must be determined to eradicate one of the worst kinds of crimes in our society – a crime against Earth, against mankind.”
M. Pavlenco, SOS Fauna President
