Wildlife Conservation Society and Avianca join forces to prevent wildlife trafficking in Latin America

Wildlife Conservation Society and Avianca join forces to prevent wildlife trafficking in Latin America

July 11, 2023 12:12

Avianca and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) are joining forces to combat wildlife trafficking through the signing of an agreement that will not only strengthen the airline's prevention efforts but will also include the technical knowledge and experience of WCS in fighting wildlife trafficking.

• Through this alliance, Avianca will strengthen its actions to prevent and detect the trafficking of wild species.

 

• Avianca is a signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration, focused on the commitment of companies in stopping the transport of wildlife products illegally and outside of the regulations established by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

 

• Between July and December 2022, during general inspection days carried out by the authorities, 1,617 live animals were confiscated in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and in border areas of Brazil.

 

• Latin America is home to three out of the five leading countries with the highest number of birds, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, fish, and plants. The Amazon region alone holds 10% of the world's biodiversity.

 

Picture1

Foto: ©Jonathan Vanegas/WCS. Especie: Oophaga lehmanni

 

Bogota July 6, 2023. Avianca and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) join forces to confront wildlife trafficking through the signing of an agreement that will not only strengthen the airline's actions in terms of prevention, but will also draw upon the technical knowledge and experience of WCS in combating wildlife trafficking.

 

In this regard, Avianca's operational, cargo and airport personnel will receive comprehensive trainings, which will focus on: the detection of wild specimens (animals or plants, alive or dead and/or any easily identifiable part or derivative), reporting to the authorities in case of illegal findings; as well as the execution  of international agreements and commitments to prevent illegal trafficking.

 

“With this alliance with WCS, we seek to strengthen our action systems and prevent wildlife trafficking through training and awareness sessions for our operational personnel. We understand the enormous impact of this crime in the region and, therefore, we want to contribute to the protection of our ecosystems TODAY to have a future TOMORROW”, stated Felipe Andrés Gómez Vivas, director of institutional relations and sustainability for Avianca.

 

Latin America has great natural wealth with three out of the five most biodiverse countries on the planet, however, they face threats to the survival of species such as the illegal wildlife trade. According to the report produced by WCS on the news of wildlife confiscation made between July and December 2022, 1,617 live animals were confiscated in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and border areas of Brazil. These confiscations included operations at airports such as Bogotá and Leticia, in Colombia, where 27 animals were seized, mainly reptiles.

 

“For WCS, the signing of this agreement with Avianca is of great importance, since it strengthens the actions aimed at detecting and preventing the trafficking of wild specimens in the modality associated with the air transport of passengers and cargo, which transcends borders. The involvement of the private sector in this task is fundamental and WCS will contribute all its technical expertise in this process”, declared Padu Franco, director of the Andes, Amazonia, Orinoquía region of WCS.

 

Activación de la campaña _El tráfico está en todos lados_ en el aerouerto de Iquitos

Foto: ©WCS Perú. Campaign against wildlife trafficking at Peru airport.

 

About Avianca

AVIANCA includes Avianca - Star Alliance member-, LifeMiles and Avianca Cargo. In passenger transport and with more than 103 years of continuous operation since 1919, Avianca is the leading airline in Colombia, Ecuador, and Central America and has one of the largest air operations in Latin America with 130 routes, 3,800 weekly flights and a fleet of more than 130 Airbus 320 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, connecting to around 70 destinations in America and Europe. More than 11.9 million members and 500 partner brands are part of its loyalty program, LifeMiles, one of the largest in the region. In cargo transportation, Avianca Cargo is a leader in the region and is the main operator in different markets in America. It serves more than 70 destinations with a fleet of Airbus A330 cargo planes, added to the operation of bellies on passenger planes. Avianca today has a team of more than 12,000 people committed to providing a safe, convenient, affordable, and friendly service to its customers. More information at www.avianca.com.

 

About Wildlife Conservation Society

WCS is an international non-profit organization, whose main objective is the preservation of life and wild landscapes through the generation and application of scientific knowledge, the promotion of conservation at an international level, environmental education, and system administration. of urban wildlife parks. To date, WCS manages over five hundred conservation projects, including, but not limited to, combating wildlife trafficking. WCS operates in more than 60 countries and has established more than 130 wildlife reserves and parks around the world. This is why it is among the four main NGOs worldwide dedicated to conservation.

 

WCS MEDIA CONTACT: Dora Arévalo V. (+57) 3164783045 darevalo@wcs.org

 

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