In a significant joint operation, the Animal Health Secretariat of Funes (Santa Fe) and the Ecological Police managed to rescue 40 birds of protected native species destined for illegal trade.
They were found locked up in a house near the intersection of Martínez de Irala and José Ingenieros.
Protected species rescued and destined for illegal trade
According to information provided by the municipal department, among the animals recovered during Friday afternoon were twenty-eight mixed birds, five cardinals, a white-breasted thrush, a corbatita, and a king of the forest that would be destined for the black market.
Extensive rescue operation
After the discovery made by Funes Animal Health, the rescue operation, which also had the support of Civil Protection, lasted for over four hours to successfully remove and ensure the integrity of the dozens of birds locked up in the west area of the city.
Finally, the owner of the property was made available to the Prosecutor’s Office in charge. It is expected that in the coming hours, the fate of the recovered birds will also be made public.
Illegal wildlife trafficking: some data to understand the issue
The market of illegal wildlife trade generates, according to estimates, between 15 and 20 billion US dollars annually. It is the fourth largest illegal trade worldwide after drug-related crimes, counterfeiting, and human trafficking.
More than 100 bird species, 20 reptile species, and 15 mammal species in our country are affected by wildlife trafficking. Of these, about 20 are classified as threatened species.
The main species that are attempted to be trafficked abroad are:
- Birds: cardinal, red-crested cardinal, toucan, and Amazon parrot.
- Reptiles: turtles
- Mammals: monkeys, felines, and deer
- Marine mammals
Buyers are mainly collectors (entrepreneurs, ordinary people, and traffickers) with the sole purpose of having the specimens for themselves or for breeding and selling, given the demand for certain species.
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