Smuggling of endangered species aboard a boat en route to the Canary Islands, perpetrated by a duo
In a significant development, the Civil Guard in Spain has thwarted an attempt to smuggle protected and exotic animal species, potentially dangerous to the Canarian ecosystem, onto a ship bound for the Canary Islands.
The incident occurred on July 5 during a routine fiscal control at the port of Cádiz. The Civil Guard found 11 plastic boxes containing various wild animal specimens inside an abandoned backpack. The backpack was later identified as belonging to two alleged smugglers who abandoned it after noticing the police presence.
The smuggled animals included two large spiders, two monitor lizards, a gecko, three snakes, a scorpion, a frog, several mice, two sugar gliders, worms, and millipedes. The majority of these species are exotic invasive species, potentially dangerous to the Canarian ecosystem.
The Service for the Protection of Nature (Seprona) of Chiclana (Cádiz) took charge of the custody and subsequent transfer of the animals to the Bioparc Center in Fuengirola (Málaga). The specimens were found crammed together, without adequate ventilation and in poor conditions, necessitating emergency holes in the containers for their survival.
This illegal trade, which consists of the capture, transport, and illegal sale of animals and plants not native to a region, poses a serious threat to the biodiversity of the planet. It generates millions of dollars a year and puts the survival of many species at risk.
Reasons for this trafficking include the demand for exotic pets and the use of these animals in traditional remedies. Education and sensitization of the population about the importance of preserving biodiversity and the dangers of illegal trade are crucial in addressing this issue.
On July 22, both suspects were arrested for a crime against flora and fauna for trafficking in species and another for animal cruelty. The arrests were made in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where another attempt to introduce protected and exotic species onto a ship bound for the Canary Islands was thwarted.
Strengthening legislation, increasing controls at entry points, and improving international cooperation are essential to combat this problem. The indiscriminate capture and transport of exotic species in precarious conditions cause high mortality rates and loss of biodiversity in the ecosystems of origin.
As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change and habitat loss, the illegal trade in exotic species serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect and conserve our planet's biodiversity.
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