The Ministry of Energy and Environment of Mendoza launched a campaign against pet ownership on social media under the slogan “Our wildlife is not for sale”, accompanied by images of species such as the gray fox, puma, Andean condor, and tarantula, all with the message “not a pet”.
The initiative aims to raise awareness about illegal wildlife trafficking and the domestic keeping of wild animals, practices that endanger both biodiversity and human health.
The goal of the campaign
The Director of Biodiversity, Ignacio Haudet, clarified that the campaign does not respond to a specific increase in attempts to domesticate pumas or foxes, but rather uses “umbrella” species recognized by the population to highlight a broader issue.
Illegal wildlife trafficking persists in the province, albeit on a smaller scale, and takes various forms.
Most affected species
According to Haudet, birds are the most vulnerable to illegal possession, especially the yellow cardinal, often sold as a pet. Another common case is that of land turtles, whose ownership is still normalized in many homes. In these cases, there are often voluntary surrenders to the Ecopark when owners can no longer keep them.
Although the campaign focused on emblematic species like pumas and condors, birds and turtles represent the majority of cases detected by the Biodiversity area.
Why they are not pets
The campaign aims to convey that wildlife is not for sale nor is it private property. Capturing or keeping it in captivity leads to multiple consequences:
- Species conservation: the extraction of individuals reduces natural populations and can lead to extinction.
- Public health: increases the risk of zoonoses, diseases transmitted from animals to humans.
- Animal welfare: specimens suffer stress, malnutrition, and behavioral problems in captivity.
- Ecological balance: animals play key roles such as seed dispersal or pest control.
- Legal and social action: illegal possession fuels trafficking networks and degrades ecosystems.
A global issue
The wildlife pet ownership is the third leading cause of biodiversity loss worldwide. It is estimated that nine out of ten animals die before reaching the buyer, reflecting the suffering and high mortality associated with illegal trafficking.
Additionally, the capture and commercialization of native species promote ecosystem degradation and the introduction of invasive species, with irreversible impacts on nature.
The Mendoza campaign seeks to raise public awareness and encourage the reporting of trafficking and illegal possession cases. As Haudet pointed out, the goal is clear: “Wildlife is not for sale nor is it private property”. Protecting it is essential to conserve biodiversity, ensure public health, and prevent animal suffering.
