This year, the Environmental Protection Unit (UPMA) of the National Police has seized more than 8,000 cubic meters of illegally logged wood; more than 1,000 species of wild flora and nearly the same number of wild animals in captivity. Among the most trafficked animals are birds, bears, monkeys and turtles.
There are just over 300 police officers nationwide assigned to environmental protection, a figure that is not enough to fully carry out their actions. In fact, a few weeks ago, the Prosecutor's Office held a seminar entitled "Fight against the trafficking of animal and plant species," in which Bella Abata, the Napo prosecutor, explained that the low level of environmental crimes is due to the lack of resources to detect more.
According to the speakers, people do not cooperate and do not report the incident in time. Colonel CaleroUPMA explained that the most important thing is to raise awareness among people and that this work is carried out by UPMA members in the communities, to prevent the natives themselves from commercializing the species.
The Amazonian colonists are the ones who traffic the most animals, since "they make a living from that," Calero said. The solution, according to the official, is precisely to introduce alternative forms of work.
At the seminar, organised by the French Embassy, the prosecutor of the Environmental Unit of Guayaquil, Mónica Rivera, stressed that "laws must be reformed to ensure better control" and, consequently, penalties must be toughened.
The current law punishes anyone who sells animal and plant species with up to three years in prison; however, possession and transportation are not penalized.
From Ballenita Sí Online, we invite you to raise awareness and avoid the purchase of wild species, even worse those that are in danger of extinction.
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