The wildlife trafficking in Argentina was once again exposed last Wednesday in Santa Fe, when 500 animals were rescued from the illegal trade.
The discovery occurred during a road control operation on Route 34, where a truck carrying more than 500 animals in precarious conditions was intercepted. The vehicle came from Santiago del Estero and its destination was Buenos Aires.
Upon verifying that the transport violated current regulations, national forces seized the specimens, which arrived this week at the conservation center “La Esmeralda”.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Santa Fe, the animals were traveling “in precarious conditions and incompatible with their welfare“.
In particular, the seized specimens included:
- 219 talking parrots
- 146 land turtles
- 105 blue-black grassquits
- 33 collared seedeaters
- 28 goldfinches
- 16 saffron finches
The “La Esmeralda” center, a key space against wildlife trafficking
After the operation against wildlife trafficking, the animals arrived at the Rescue, Research and Interpretation Center of Fauna (CRIIF) “La Esmeralda”.
The space, located in the city of Santa Fe, is where the specimens are currently undergoing a mandatory sanitary quarantine.
There, the staff of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Santa Fe is already providing clinical evaluation, veterinary assistance, and behavioral monitoring.
After this, and once the health clearances are obtained, their possible reintegration into natural environments will be technically evaluated.
Currently, La Esmeralda operates permanently as a conservation device: the center receives animals from wildlife trafficking seizures, rescues, and voluntary surrenders for their care.
The entity works under strict technical, sanitary, and ecological criteria to return the fauna to its habitat or care for those specimens that cannot return for different reasons.
An investigation is opened for wildlife trafficking
The operation had a distinctive element in the fight against wildlife trafficking: the intervening forces seized the cell phone of the truck driver.
The analysis of that device could provide key information to dismantle illegal circuits of wildlife commercialization in the region.
The Ministry of Environment reminded that “the capture, possession, transport, and commercialization of wildlife without authorization is illegal”.
The laws regulating and sanctioning these behaviors are the Provincial Wildlife Law No. 4,830, National Law No. 22,421, and Law No. 14,346.
Wildlife trafficking causes high levels of stress, injuries, and high mortality in animals. In addition, it generates irreversible impacts on ecosystems.
Any citizen can report situations of illegal hunting, sale, or transport by calling 911. Not buying wildlife is, according to the Ministry, “a concrete action to protect Santa Fe’s biodiversity”.
Source: Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Santa Fe.
