In an environmental release day held in the rural area of ​​La Vega (Cundinamarca), environmental authorities returned to their natural habitat 46 wild animals that had been previously seized for illegal wildlife trafficking. The process was possible thanks to the coordinated work between various entities, within the framework of the Interinstitutional Committee for the Control of Illegal Trafficking in Wild Flora and Fauna.

Of the total number of specimens, 27 were in the custody of the District Environment Secretariat (SDA) of Bogotá, and included a variety of species: amphibians such as frogs, mammals such as opossums, birds such as toucanets and doves, invertebrates (scorpions), as well as reptiles such as the false coral snake.

Additionally, 19 animals were released into the custody of the Regional Autonomous Corporation of Cundinamarca (CAR), among which opossums, an owl, an armadillo and a fox stood out. The CAR was the entity in charge of granting permits for the release of all specimens in the territory of its jurisdiction, complying with the technical and biological requirements necessary for their survival.

Photo: @Alfred_Balle

The released species had previously been cared for in assessment and rehabilitation centers, where they received veterinary care and readaptation processes to ensure that they returned to the wild in good condition. These types of processes are part of the technical protocols established by environmental authorities to prevent animals, after recovery, from suffering physical or behavioral damage that makes their survival in the wild difficult.

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The Interinstitutional Committee is made up of the SDA, the CAR, Corpoguavio, Corporinoquía, the National Natural Parks Unit and the Government of Cundinamarca, and coordinates control, prevention and attention actions for cases related to the illegal trafficking of wild fauna and flora in the jurisdiction of Cundinamarca and the Capital District.

Photo: @Alfred_Balle

Illegal wildlife trafficking is a problem that affects biodiversity in Colombia and is addressed from multiple fronts: not only with recovery and release operations, but also with citizen service lines that receive reports of animals at risk, consultations and rescues that can lead to care and rehabilitation processes before their release.

The environmental authorities reiterate the invitation to citizens to report the possession, commercialization or illegal mobilization of wildlife, through the hotlines of each competent entity.

Photo: CAR