On the Trail - Robin des Bois

II), and 2 American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus,
Appendix I)
Campeche, State of Campeche, Mexico
Guasave, State of Sinaloa, Mexico
July 2013
The animals were confiscated in 2 operations. The
first took place in the form of a national program to
inspect circuses. 2 Geoffrey’s spider monkeys were
recovered in a circus in Campeche. The owners did
not have documents stating the legal origin of the
monkeys. They were chained to cast-iron posts and
could hardly move. The circus opened several years
ago by receiving animals as gifts.
The second operation took place in a recreational
park in Guasave and ended in the confiscation of
2 Geoffrey’s spider monkeys, 3 Harris’s hawks, 2
American crocodiles, 6 white tailed deer (Odocoileus
virginianus, Appendix III in Guatemala), and 5
wild boars (Genre Sus). The owners did not have the
legal documents for their possession.
Seizure of 163 animals
State of Paraíba, Brazil
1 st week of August, 2013
The animals were seized during the operation
Orion. The Operation against wild animal trafficking
took place in sales and market places of the
Sate of Paraiba. Over a hundred birds were seized
as well as primates. 10 animals in good health were
set free immediately into the Caatinga Biosphere
Reserve.
Seizure of 1,120 elephant tusks, 13 rhinoceros
horns, 5 leopard skins
Port of Hong Kong, China
August 6, 2013
All these remains of precious and protected biodiversity
were piled in a container supposedly transporting
timber from Nigeria. The value of the cargo
is estimated at US$ 5.3 million. The total weight
is 2,266 kg. Rising of Chinese presence in Africa
couples with the rise in poaching. Exploitation of
wood in Africa by Chinese companies and its exportation
toward Chinese ports is making easier poaching,
its financing and the illegal transportation to
China. The question remains how many containers
carrying protected species escape the vigilance of
customs. Mombasa in Kenya is the only African port
were containers filled with ivory are discovered before
they departure towards Asia.
Harris’s hawks can have up for a 124cm wingspan.
© Pablo Läutaud
Illegal trade of wildlife
Duque de Caxias, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
July 2013
2 adolescents aged 13 and 15 were apprehended.
The traffickers in the making had 46 living birds
and 10 turtles whose origins and species are not
yet known, as well as 10 dogs. All of them would
be for sale.
Good news
Release of 182 animals in Brazil
Species include: saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola),
rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis),
lined seedeater (Sporophila lineola) and
red-browed amazon (Amazona rhodocorytha,
Appendix I). Coatis (genus nasua) and capuchin
monkeys (genus sapajus, Appendix II) were also
released. This release was part of the 25th anniversary
celebrations in July of the BPMA (Military
Police Environmental Battalion) in the State of
Espirito Santo. The release was carried out by
BPMA and CEREIAS (Centre for the release of
wild animals). It was the fourth release into the
wild since March 2013. In all, 808 animals have
been released into their natural habitat. The animals
had been seized in operations carried out
by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and
Renewable Natural Resources) and the BPMA.
© Chinese Customs
Seizure of 43 animals, including 5 blue-and-gold
macaw (Ara ararauna, Appendix II), 1 hyacinth
macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, Appendix
I), 1 green-winged macaw (Ara chloropterus,
Appendix II), 5 toucans (order of Piciformes), 1
black-capped Capuchin (Cebus apella, Appendix
II), 4 red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria,
Appendix II).
São Caetano, State of Pernambouc, Brazil
August 7, 2013
The animals were found in a farm. Their health is
good. The owner is a doctor. He has to pay a fine
of US$ 60,200. 3 of the macaws were living in a tree
on his land. Their wings had been cut to keep them
from flying away. The other birds were kept in an
aviary. Be it for trade of for his personal collection,
the man’s mobile is not clearly established.
Seizure of a live dwarf leopard or ocelot (Leopardus
pardalis, Appendix I), 6 boa constrictors
(Boa constrictor, Appendix II) and 25 boa
constrictor skins
Province of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas,
On The Trail # 2. Robin des Bois
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