HSI launches campaign to protect wild animals from trafficking trade in Mexico

Celebrities star in video to promote “Don’t Buy Wild,” “No Compres Fauna Silvestre”

Humane Society International


Humane Society International, a leading international animal protection organization, officially launched “Don’t Buy Wild” (No compres fauna silvestre) campaign in Mexico. The campaign aims to reduce wildlife trafficking by urging people not to buy wild animals as pets or purchase wildlife products such as turtle eggs or wild bird feathers.

The campaign is supported by television and radio hosts Facundo Gómez, Franky Mostro and Jimena Rodríguez, as well as actress Sophie Alexander. The celebrities star in an HSI video released today urging people not to buy wild animals as pets.

Mexico is one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity in the world. Many of these species are endemic, so if they cease to exist here, they will disappear forever from the planet. The wildlife trade is a multi-billion dollar industry that threatens the survival of many species and causes the inhumane treatment of countless animals each year.

Rebecca Regnery, HSI Wildlfe Senior Director, said: “When shopping or traveling, you can find items made with animal parts and in some places wild animals are sold as pets. By acquiring wildlife or its products, such as turtle shells, or reptile or big cat skins, people contribute to the prosperity of the wildlife trafficking industry.”

Scarlet and green macaws, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, and sea turtles are some of the protected species in Mexico and therefore are traded illegally. At the rate of 77 percent, parrots captured for trade die during capture, storage, transport, distribution and sale before reaching the consumer.

Government agencies, including the Federal Environmental Attorney General, the Environmental Gendarmerie, Mexico City’s Animal Protection Agency, along with animal protection organizations Defenders of Wildlife and Teyeliz also support HSI’s campaign. The campaign, which includes the distribution of printed materials to educate the public about the issue, is sponsored by local wine company Proyecto Vinícola/Wine-Imal.

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