TRAFFIC establishes base in Latin America

The initial focus of TRAFFIC’s work in Latin America will be with the transport sector, aimed at gathering information on routes and modus operandi of illegal wildlife traffickers, through collaboration with regional airlines, transport associations and locally based NGOs. 

Work is already underway to assist collaboration between private partners and law enforcement officials at airports to detect illegal wild species being trafficked through the main airports in the region. 

Looking forward, TRAFFIC will be using its expertise both in tackling illegal wildlife trade, and also in building sustainable and legal supply chains, to engage with more partners and in more geographic locations across the continent. 

Programme Lead Renata Cao, who previously spent four years as the Latin America and Caribbean Wildlife Crime Lead at WWF, said: “Latin America is the most biodiverse region in the world, with reptiles, birds and marine species being trafficked out of the region by plane and ships. With the team here in Latin America I look forward to joining forces with other organizations to amplify the impact of our efforts. Together, we can achieve a more sustainable industry that benefits both people and wild species." 

All eyes will be on this part of the world later this year when the Convention on Biodiversity COP takes place in Colombia – one of the most biodiverse nations in the world. I am so excited to be part of all that Latin America can do to accelerate progress towards global peace with nature.”  

Renata Cao, Programme Lead