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| Confiscated spider monkeys received at a rescue center in Honduras.© Maria Elena Sanchez/HSI |
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By Tracy O’Toole and Cindy Dent
Central America is home to a rich ecosystem and a wealth of wildlife, including tapirs, margays, howler monkeys, jaguars, and macaws. The very diversity of its plant and animal life has made the region particularly attractive to wildlife smugglers looking to make money from the illegal sale of exotic skins, parrot fledglings or other desirable animal derivatives.
The governments of Central America are challenged to keep pace with illegal traders as they attempt to poach wildlife whenever possible; at the same time, officials experience real difficulty in placing confiscated live animals with the appropriate rescue facilities.
Sanctuary Shortage
In recent years, it has become clear that Central America currently lacks the appropriate infrastructure and planning to accommodate wildlife confiscated under national laws regarding the United Nations’ Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In fact, most of the countries in the region do not have access to adequate facilities for wildlife reception and rehabilitation. Currently, many of Central America’s confiscated animals are sent to private collections and zoos due to the lack of infrastructure and funding for wildlife rescue centers.
A rescue center that receives wildlife confiscated from illegal trade is an officially recognized facility dedicated to the long-term wellbeing of confiscated wildlife. Rescue centers are places of refuge for injured, abused or homeless animals, providing lifelong care to those who cannot be released back into the wild and rehabilitating for return to their native habitat, those who can. A rescue center is not a short-term endeavor, a private collection of captive animals nor a tourist attraction.
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Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) confiscated by regional CITES authorities.© Tracy O'Toole/HSI |
A wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center is an essential step in the animal confiscation process that is too often overlooked in government enforcement programs. Rescue centers provide opportunities to rehabilitate and release many animals who were once condemned to sale on the illegal market. Sadly, many confiscated and potentially releasable animals in Central America are destined to spend their lives in captivity due to the lack of sustainable rescue centers. The shortage of viable rescue centers limits the region’s ability to rehabilitate and release wildlife that would greatly reinforce native populations which have suffered major losses due to habitat destruction and poaching.
HSI Studying the Problem
In order to combat this problem, the U.S. Department of State, to support the Environmental Chapter of DR-CAFTA, has issued a grant to HSI to complete an in-depth regional rescue center sustainability study concerning the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife in five Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua). Building on recently completed studies, HSI will conduct a follow-up comprehensive study that examines the needs of existing rescue centers and their ability to operate effectively according to CITES guidelines, and establishes guidelines for at least one model rescue center per country. In addition, the study will examine current capacities and options for rescue center development in each country, challenges, relevant national legislation, potential strategies for revenue generation, animal management plans, costs, standards and protocols, and best practices.
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| HSI consultant Maria Elena Sanchez inspects the confiscated animal reception facilities in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. © Tracy O'Toole/HSI |
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First Steps
HSI is currently conducting detailed site visits to each country, where experts are meeting with local government officials to assess the current status of confiscated wildlife rehabilitation efforts and to identify the principal wildlife trafficking routes between countries. In addition, HSI will conduct existing rescue center site inspections and provide detailed actions plans for each center to achieve sustainability.
In September, HSI conducted a site visit to Honduras to officially kick off this important project of developing sustainable confiscated animal rescue centers in Central America. HSI hopes that this study will lead to a brighter future for wildlife once destined for a life of captivity and/or abuse.
Tracy O’Toole is the Director of Wildlife Development Programs at HSI. Please contact Ms. O’Toole for further information regarding the rescue center sustainability project at totoole@hsi.org.
