Gangs target South America's wildlife

Birds and animals are subjected to horrifying torture

By Jan Rocha in Brasilia

South America has become the main target of international wildlife smugglers because of its immense biodiversity.

With an annual turnover of approximately $10bn, wildlife is third only to guns and drugs in the world of illegal trade.

These facts were revealed at the first South American Conference on the Illegal Trade in Wildlife being held this week in Brasilia.

The numbers are staggering: Every year from Brazil alone, according to government sources, 12 million species, including birds, monkeys, snakes, frogs and insects, are smuggled out.

Animals tortured

But only one out of every 10 animals survives the moment of capture and the journey, which may last several thousand miles.

To keep them quiet during their transport to Europe and the United States, their main destinations, birds and animals are subjected to horrifying torture.

Some snake poison is very valuable

Birds have their eyes pierced so they do not see the light that sets them singing; macaws have their breastbone broken, to stops them from squawking; and monkeys are anaesthetized with rum and have their teeth pulled out to make them tame.

Parrots also have their feathers painted to make them more colourful and attractive.

Pharmaceutical benefits

The wildlife is not just being smuggled out for collectors and the private zoos of millionaires.

Pharmaceutical laboratories are apparently among the buyers.

The poison of some Amazon snakes and frogs contains valuable active ingredients used in drugs for problems like hypertension.

A gram of snake poison can fetch up to $1,200.

Attending this first regional conference on wildlife smuggling are delegates from all over South America, representatives from the US Department of Justice, from Interpol and from many international wildlife agencies.

They want to set up a data bank on smugglers and organise a network of co-operation between the countries, in an attempt to put an end to this cruel traffic.