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The battle against illegal wildlife trafficking has become one of our main activities. Wildlife trafficking is one of the major causes of species loss. Wild animals are routinely hunted for meat, skins, as trophies, or for the pet trade.

Throughout Peru there are large areas of forest almost empty of wildlife due to overhunting. Large-bodied primates, such as woolly monkeys and spider monkeys, are often the first species to disappear as their large size and conspicuous nature makes them particularly attractive to hunters. Primates in general, as well as birds, are also routinely sold in local, national and international markets as pets, often suffering from malnutrition and disease, and kept in terrible conditions. Hundreds of thousands of animals are illegally hunted in Peru each year, and it is estimated that for every wild pet that is sold in a market, 8 or 9 others of the same species have died during capture or transport.

As one of our main priorities, and as part of NPC´s holistic approach to conservation, we target the illegal trade in wildlife. To this end, we work closely with regional and national wildlife authorities, police, public prosecutors and grassroots organizations in Peru. We also commit a lot of time and resources to educating local communities about the pressures faced by wildlife from hunting, the dangers of keeping wild animals as pets, and the illegalities of trafficking wildlife. Above all, our work with communities focuses on the benefits of maintaining healthy forests, which is dependent on the presence of wildlife.

Since 2007 we have organized and participated in the confiscation, rescue, transport to rescue centres, care, and often release of thousands of wild animals across Peru. Animals seized from the illegal trade suffer from a variety of physical and emotional problems related to the terrible conditions they were subjected to. We constantly provide veterinary and general care to animals, some of whom stay under our care for extended periods until they are strong enough to be transported to a rescue centre. We try to send each individual to the most suitable centre possible to ensure that their future is as promising as it can be.

Generally, we believe that animal welfare and conservation need to be treated together and are not mutually exclusive. By working for the rescue and long-term care of trafficked species we aim to minimize the effects of the illegal trade on endangered species, and by conserving forests we hope to provide a safe haven for animals where their capture and related suffering is prevented.
If you are travelling, or about to start your trip, then please read the “Get Involved” section of this website which contains information on what you can do to help stop wildlife trafficking and the potential impact your actions can have while abroad. Similarly, please do not take or share animal selfies or videos, or share memes of the inappropriate use of wildlife on the internet, they may look cute to you, but they hide the suffering of the individuals and the disappearance of entire species.

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