Kinkajous, Anteaters & Howler Monkeys Rescued From Illegal Wildlife Trafficking In Guatemala Are Returned To The Wild

In a joint effort by non-governmental organizations Humane Society International/Latin America and Asociacion Rescate y Conservacion de Vida Silvestre (ARCAS) —40 animals, including 14 different species were released in the Yaxha Nakum Naranjo National Park in Peten, Guatemala, after being rescued from illegal trafficking and going through a rigorous rehabilitation process.

With the authorization of Guatemalan authorities from the National Council for Protected Areas (CONAP), the animals were released to the Maya Biosphere Reserve following rehabilitation after falling victim to wildlife trafficking. Some of the rehabilitation activities included learning how to fly, jump, run, hide from predators and identify food in the wild.

“Keeping wild animals as ‘pets’ is a dangerous trend that is seriously affecting our ecosystems,” said Andrea Borel, executive director of HSI/Latin America. “Together with our local partner, ARCAS, we work to give these animals—who should have never been taken from their homes—a second chance in life to grow and flourish.”

Endangered species are highly valued in the wildlife trade because of their rarity, leading to overexploitation and black-market trade, and pushing these species further toward extinction.

The rehabilitation of these animals is essential to strengthening the populations of endemic and endangered species in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, which have been considerably depleted and diminished in their natural habitats by human action. The release and rehabilitation of these animals is necessary to ensure that there are healthy populations capable of adapting and reproducing in their natural habitat.

ARCAS carries out the physical, medical, and behavioral rehabilitation of victims of wildlife trafficking under strict scientific management standards and later releases animals into their natural habitat. HSI/Latin America and ARCAS have been working together in wildlife protection and conservation in Guatemala since 2004.

You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and in your glass. #GoVeg

More on this topic

Popular stories

In Defense Of Animals Calls To Restore Obama-era Regulations To Save Alaska’s Bear Cubs & Other Species From Heartless Trophy Hunters

In Defense of Animals and thousands of its supporters are calling on presidential candidate Joe Biden to restore Obama-era regulations intended to protect Alaska’s...

Breaking! The UK Supreme Court Upholds The Government’s Ban On Ivory By Revoking A Final Attempt By Antiques Dealers To Overturn It

The landmark UK Ivory Act has passed its final hurdle with the announcement on August 17th that the Supreme Court has refused to allow an appeal...

Breaking! Montana Governor Greg Gianforte Illegally Trapped & Killed A Gray Wolf Outside Of Yellowstone National Park

In violation of state regulations, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte trapped and killed a gray wolf in February on a ranch 10 miles north of Yellowstone National...