It’s a dark, business world when people resort to trafficking the endangered animal for profit. In Brazil, the most popular endangered animal is the bird. The reason for its popularity as a money-maker is the bird pet market, which is a million dollar industry, and the more exotic the bird is, the more money you can make – illegally.
Brazilian authorities and concerned citizens are doing all they can to stop the trade. The drop in bird population will not only mean possible extinction, but also turns into a threat to the fauna in their jungles. It will affect lives because the jungles or virgin forests are part of what keeps biodiversity thriving and maintains the ecological balance.
Just this 31st of March 2011, the largest arrest on animal traffickers was reported in Mexico. Confiscated were 762 parrots and other bird species, and a unbelievable 67 reptiles. There were also wild boards, puma cubs, and white-tailed deer.
The sad part about illegal trafficking of endangered animals is that many of these animals die during transit. They have to suffer through cramped cages, if cages are even used. Often, they are just put in sealed boxes with a few air holes for ventilation. There was even one incident when a Mexican was arrested, having been caught with 18 baby endangered monkeys from Peru stuffed inside his socks. The socks were strapped around his waist.
Just this May 2011, a man with a United Arab Emirates passport was arrested in Bangkok. He was attempting to bring out endangered animals like two monkeys, one baby bear, two panthers, and two leopards.
Animal trafficking is a serious problem, and people will go to great lengths to find the animals with the highest price tag on its head to make money. They have no respect for the law, nor do they care about the fate of the animals. To them, it’s just business. Nothing personal.
Reference: Illustrated Encyclopedia of endangered animals.
