Brazilian Police Rescue Hundreds of Exotic animals in Major Trafficking Operation
RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazilian police have dismantled a major wildlife trafficking ring and rescued over 500 animals, including toucans, macaws, monkeys, and reptiles, from across the state of rio de Janeiro. The operation, conducted earlier this week, also uncovered a cache of weapons and ammunition linked to other criminal activities.
Authorities report the animals were captured in the wild and intended for sale across Brazil and potentially internationally. Investigators have identified some of the buyers fueling the criminal chain, though details have not been released. the gang also traded in weapons and ammunition, used in the commission of other crimes, according to police official Felipe Curi.
Wildlife trafficking is a meaningful problem in Brazil, with an estimated 38 million animals taken from the wild annually, according to the Brazilian NGO RENCTAS (National Network to Combat Wildlife Trafficking). Ninety per cent of these animals die before being sold.
the rescued animals are currently receiving veterinary care from volunteers and undergoing forensic evaluation. Following triage,thay will be prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats.