Wildlife traffic has a profoundly negative impact on Colombian nature, affecting our biodiversity, altering the ecosystem, impacting the reproduction of species and destroying our original nature.

Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with thousands of varieties of flora and fauna species, which makes the wildlife trafficking business attractive.

According to Colombian authorities, wildlife trafficking in Colombia affects the country’s biodiversity, with birds (43%), mammals (37%) and reptiles (20%) being seized each year.

The business is so unequal that the average price paid in Colombia for each species captured is 500,000 pesos, or about US$120, and on the international market they are sold for US$600 each, making it one of the most profitable illegal businesses in the world.

Each year, traffickers and poachers make millions of dollars in business, encouraging people in Colombia’s poorest regions to engage in this practice.

As in all illicit businesses, traffickers are only the first step in a supply chain, since the final consumers of this lucrative market are wealthy families in Asia, the United States and Europe, where people pay thousands of dollars for any valuable part of a wild animal’s body.

Colombia’s fauna is one of the most sought after by these foreign markets, thanks to the fact that Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world, in several regions there are endemic species that are only found in small territories, which makes them an invaluable object of collection and trafficking.

What are the most trafficked animals in Colombia?

Citilennial began a task of several months, talking to experts, researching figures and consulting statistics to find out which species are the ones that leave the country the most by fraudulent means. These are some of them:

Tití Gris (Saguinus Leucopus)

It is one of the primate species exposed to illegal trafficking in Colombia. It is a small monkey in danger of extinction mainly due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trafficking. The gray marmoset, also known as the white-handed marmoset, is a small primate with a distinctive coloration that includes a mixture of gray on its body and white on its hands and face. It lives in the tropical forests of northwestern Colombia, mainly in the Magdalena Medio region.

Gray marmosets are illegally captured and sold as exotic pets because of their small size and attractive appearance.

Although it may seem unimportant, the job of these monkeys is to spread seeds in the forests. Losing this animal in the ecosystem would also mean losing another type of agriculture in some areas.

Their capture and transport is stressful for the animal, and many do not survive the process of traveling from Colombia to other countries or the change of natural habitat.

Mono nocturno (Aotus Griseimebrana)

It is another of the monkeys that is in danger of extinction. It is also known as ‘night monkey’ or ‘night monkey’ and is one of the most trafficked species in Colombia. This primate, native to the tropical forests of South America, including Colombia, is traded illegally mainly for its demand as a pet and for use in biomedical research. In Colombia it has been used for medical experiments such as malaria.

Many of them do not survive capture and transport, which increases their price.

Despite international campaigns to curb trafficking, the capture of this monkey continues to increase.

Tortuga hicotea (Trachemys callirostris)

It is one of the species that suffers due to illegal wildlife trafficking in Colombia. It inhabits the northern region of Colombia and Venezuela.

This semi-aquatic turtle is in a ‘vulnerable’ state (on the verge of extinction) due to the consumption of its eggs, a very common practice on the Colombian coast.

Its illegal trade is due to its attractiveness in fountains or fish tanks, and its ease of maintenance in captivity. However, in other regions, their illegal trade is for consumption because their eggs and meat are considered delicacies, which increases their capture and trafficking.

Periquito bronceado (Brotogeris jugularis)

Known as the bronze parakeet or the aliñada parakeet, it is one of the bird species that suffers from the environmental crime of species trafficking in Colombia. The illegal capture and trade of this and other exotic birds are significant problems in the country, due to the high demand in the exotic pet market both nationally and internationally.

This species is sought after in the international market for its small size, bright colors and sociable behavior, which makes it a desirable species as a pet.

Their price depends on several factors such as market demand and traffic routes. In general, the price can range from US$50 to US$200 per bird in international markets.

Denounces animal trafficking

Colombia has laws prohibiting the trafficking of wildlife, including these monkeys and turtles. However, effective enforcement of these laws is crucial to stop the illegal trade. But it is clear that our planet depends on our collaboration.

To stop these environmental crimes we need education, vigilance, control and your help.

@wil-walteros