Wildlife trafficking is the fourth most lucrative crime internationally, after arms, humans, and drug trafficking. So far in 2024 alone, 700 animals have been rescued in Ecuador between January and April. Despite efforts to counter this crime in the country, the results are discouraging. Since the trafficking of wildlife species was specified in the Organic Integral Penal Code, environmental authorities have seized 25,000 animals. In 2022, the Environmental Police Unit rescued 6,817 wildlife animals.
There are some conservation initiatives by civil society organizations that, gradually, are producing good results. A success story is the Zanja Arajuno Ecological Center in Pastaza, Ecuador´s largest province, with more than 29,000 km² and the richest in biodiversity. They work on the reintroduction of species rescued from illegal trafficking and the conservation of natural habitats to ensure the survival of rehabilitated native fauna. Conservation work done together with the community is key for the Center. Here, species reporting is not only the work of biologists; environmental education and biodiversity census – known as “citizen science” – connect the community and civil society with the Center´s scientific activities.
This story was produced with support from the Earth Journalism Network. It was first published in Lanceros Digitales on June 16, 2024.
Banner image: A forest regeneration project in the area of influence of the Zanja Arajuno Ecological Center in Ecuador. / Credit: Zanja Arajuno.
Andres Tapia
Kankuana Canelos
