In the last few hours, a case of wildlife trafficking in Jujuy was prevented. They rescued a baby capuchin monkey that was being transported in a car from Bolivia.
It was a couple heading to the city of Salta. They immediately involved the Justice system, as the species is protected by law.
Attempted transportation of a baby capuchin monkey from Bolivia
The rescued baby capuchin monkey.
On Thursday, members of Squadron 60 “San Pedro” were conducting vehicle checks on kilometer 1212 of National Route No. 34 when they stopped a Toyota Hilux van. A Bolivian couple was traveling in it.
When inspecting the car, according to the National Gendarmerie authorities, they found a baby capuchin monkey.
According to reports, they were traveling to the city of Salta. Upon the discovery and given that it is a species (Sapajus Cay) protected by Law 22,421, the officers protected the animal and then handed it over to the Ministry of Environment of the province.
The Federal Fiscal Unit of Jujuy intervened in this event and directed the proceedings.
The numbers of wildlife trafficking
The rescued monkey.
The illegal wildlife trade generates between 15 and 20 billion dollars annually. It is the fourth largest illegal trade in the world, and therefore, the consequences in various sectors are devastating.
The latest edition of the World Wildlife Crime Report from the United Nations (UN) revealed the causes and implications of crimes associated with this at a global level.
The UN report includes a whole section on the health risks posed by the illegal trade of wildlife.
“The disease risks associated with the wildlife trade have been periodically highlighted in recent decades by specialists in the fields of human and animal health,” they state in the document.
Concerns are related to both the direct risks of disease transmission to people from animals, wild animal meat, and other products, as well as the threat to animal populations or ecosystems.
“For a long time, it had been predicted that the increasing reach and volume of the wildlife trade as a component of the growing and increasingly interconnected global economy increased the risk of the emergence and spread of new dangerous diseases from animals to people,” they affirm.
Therefore, there is a call to improve surveillance of diseases related to the wildlife trade. “The report highlights that illegal trade poses particular risks, in part because it is likely to evade control and health regulations,” they indicate.
