The COP16 on biodiversity carries particular weight in Colombia, where the call to make peace with nature is especially relevant in the fight against wildlife trafficking. This national challenge, most acute in the Valle del Cauca region, includes the illegal domestication of wild animals as pets, such as birds, monkeys, and iguanas.
In cities like Bogotá and Cali, authorities focus their efforts on bus terminals, which serve as key hubs for trafficking operations. However, the issue goes beyond live animal trafficking to encompass cultural and dietary practices, such as the consumption of meat or eggs from protected species, including turtles and iguanas, which are sought after for family celebrations. On market stalls, it is not uncommon to find skulls, jaguar or puma teeth, and macaw feathers, sometimes displayed mere meters from police in green zones during events like COP.
The situation is dire: in Colombia, as in France, ecosystems and wildlife face mounting threats. Around 54 species are endangered by environmental crimes. To combat this, specialized teams have adopted the same methods used to fight drug trafficking: infiltration, interceptions, seizures, and coordinated operations.
In 2023, Colombia’s wildlife investigation unit rescued an average of three trafficked animals per hour, totaling an astounding 28,025 for the year. These animals are subsequently cared for by dedicated facilities such as the Cali Zoo and the city’s Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, which collectively receive around 250 animals in distress every month.
Each year, over 40,000 wild animals are treated in wildlife care centers, with the ultimate goal of releasing them back into their natural habitats. These efforts highlight the growing commitment to reconciling humanity with nature—a critical mission to protect biodiversity and combat environmental crimes.
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