The biodiversity of the Pacific region makes it home to a large number of unique and endemic specimens, for this reason, the Sailors of Colombia, work for the protection of biodiversity, and carry out operations to prevent the illegal transport of fauna and flora, as well as their commercialization.
This is how, during the first half of the year, the Colombian Navy recovered 129 specimens of fauna that were threatened in the departments of Cauca, Chocó and Valle del Cauca, working so for their protection.
These specimens, which include lizards, owls, parrots, sloth bears, snakes and turtles, among others, had been illegally extracted of their habitat for commercialization, domestication or human consumption, by criminal groups specialized in the illegal trafficking of specimens and even by members of the communities.
According to the World Wildlife Forum – WWF and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - UNODC, wildlife trafficking is currently the fourth most profitable illicit business in the world, after problems such as drug, firearms trafficking and human trafficking. In Colombia, for example, both the Amazon and the Pacific are increasingly disturbed by this phenomenon, having a significant impact on biodiversity.
In addition, in a continuous work to safeguard these specimens, the Naval Institution has led radio programs and educational talks, aligned with the guidelines of the Ministry of National Defense, to rise awareness in the communities of this region of the country, on the conservation of natural resources.
These operations have been possible thanks to the coordinated and inter-institutional work that is being carried out with the Regional Autonomous Corporation for Sustainable Development of the Department of Chocó - Codechocó, the Valle del Cauca Regional Autonomous Corporation - CVC, the Cauca Regional Corporation - CRC, the Environmental Public Establishment - EPA of Buenaventura, the Environment Secretariats of local mayors, as well as various municipal foundations and institutions, to protect sea environments, biodiversity and ensure the preservation of the environment.
Source: Press – Navy of Colombia
