Colombia wildlife trafficking affected nearly 165,000 animals from 2021-2024

Colombia's wildlife is under severe threat from trafficking, with at least 164,929 animals impacted between 2021 and 2024. A new investigation by the Ombudsman's Office revealed that 36,580 animals died, and the fate of over 41,000 others remains unknown.

Reptiles bore the brunt of this illegal trade, accounting for 121,070 cases. Birds and mammals were also significantly affected, with 18,094 and 10,926 cases respectively. The report, which drew data from 34 regional autonomous corporations, identified the Caribbean departments of Bolívar, Magdalena, Sucre, and Córdoba as hotspots for wildlife trafficking.

The Ombudsman, Iris Marín, emphasized that protecting nature is intrinsically linked to defending human rights. "Nature cannot be understood solely as a resource for people. It has its own value and deserves to be protected for what it is, for the relationships it sustains, and for the life forms it harbors," Marín stated. She also pointed out that the analyzed cases do not represent the full scope of the problem due to inconsistencies in data collection methods among environmental authorities.

In response to these findings, the Ombudsman's Office recalled the existence of Law 2153 of 2021, which mandates the creation of an information system to track and prevent wildlife trafficking. The office advocates for a proactive approach, urging for an institutional framework that not only reacts to harm but also actively prevents and understands it to stop its continuation.