Poachers in Mexico fled leaving a number of bags behind on the ground when officers of the National Guard spotted them: in the bags 4 monkeys to be sold as pets

Members of the National Guard Mexico were conducting inspection rounds when they saw a group of people in the distance. As the officers approached, the people fled. They left a number of bags behind on the ground. Given the situation, there was immediate cause for concern. To their surprise, the bags moved.The authorities immediately notified the Mexican Federal Public Prosecution Service for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) and the Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Natural Areas of Quintana Roo (IBANQROO). They brought the animals to safety and began the rescue operation.

The four monkeys, a male of about 5 to 6 months old and three females of only 2 to 3 months old, were in bad shape. They were all malnourished and dehydrated, and one of the youngest females had a broken arm.

With support from IFAW  www.ifaw.org them leaving a number of bags behind on the ground the monkeys were transferred to a veterinarian hospital. Although they are safe now, their future remains uncertain. Spider monkeys are very social animals, and as babies, they are completely dependent on their mothers and group members. Because they were separated from them so early and are now bonding with human caregivers, their chances of a successful return to the wild are unfortunately significantly smaller.

To capture baby spider monkeys, poachers must first kill their mothers, and often other animals in the group trying to protect the babies. Entire families are torn apart as a result. The young animals that survive are left traumatized and vulnerable.  

In this specific case, the poachers fled, likely because they were aware of the serious legal consequences. In Mexico, native primates such as spider monkeys may not be legally traded under any circumstances. This means that any animal taken from the wild and sold is part of an illegal market . 

The four monkeys rescued along the route of the Maya train were likely destined for sale as pets. This illegal market continues to grow significantly across all national borders.

As recent cases of smuggling show, baby spider monkeys are regularly transported under cruel and dangerous conditions. They are hidden in bags, cars, and containers, with little regard for their chances of survival. Their value increases significantly once they reach buyers, especially in markets where keeping exotic pets is still permitted.

This demand is one of the greatest threats to the species at the moment. Other threats include habitat fragmentation, infrastructure development, climate change, and the arrival of invasive species. However, the trade in exotic pets provides a direct incentive to remove animals from the wild.

Although Mexico has strict legal protection measures, the trade in wild animals does not stop at the country's borders. The persistent demand for primates as pets works against these efforts, especially in countries where legislation regarding animal keeping is unclear.

In the United States, for example, the patchwork of state regulations ensures that primates may be legally kept in some areas, creating loopholes that smugglers exploit.

Therefore, IFAW advocates for the Captive Primate Safety Act , which would ban the private ownership of primates as pets at the federal level. By reducing demand and closing legal loopholes, this legislation would address one of the root causes of the trade and help prevent these types of situations from occurring.

International Fund of Animal Welfare   www.ifaw.org

In the first 6 months of this year,195 rhinos were killed by poachers: Rhino horn trafficking is linked to money laundering, corruption, and violent organized crime.

 https://www.ifaw.org/journal/rhino-faq  Detailed information about the rhino

Dogs are being trained to find the poachers K9 projects 

South Africa’s Environmental Minister, Dr. Dion George, has announced rhino poaching figures for the first half of 2025. This marks the first high-level report of its kind under South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

A rhino

Between January 1 and June 30, 195 rhinos were killed by poachers, 35 fewer than during the same period in 2024. While this decline is encouraging, the scale of the problem remains critical. The announcement coincided with the launch of a new government initiative, Rhino Renaissance, which aims to restore Kruger National Park’s rhino population to 12,000 within the next decade.

June recorded the fewest rhinos killed this year, with 22 lost across the country. Still, Kruger National Park remains the hardest hit. Half of those June losses happened in the park, although poaching numbers there have steadily declined, from 17 rhinos in January, and 30 in February, to 11 in both May and June. Could this be an inside job?

K9 projects to train dogs

As part of the Rhino Renaissance initiative, the South African government has pledged to train and deploy 90 dedicated Rhino Monitors each year in Kruger National Park. While this is a promising step in the right direction, the numbers still reflect a disturbing reality: rhino poaching continues almost daily.

White rhinos were once nearly extinct, with their numbers dropping below 100 in the early 1900s. Thankfully, South Africa turned the tide with bold conservation measures, protected areas, community efforts, and ranger-led protection. By 2010, more than 20,000 white rhinos roamed the country.

Kruger National Park became a conservation triumph, with over 12,000 rhinos, more than anywhere else in the world. Sadly, that momentum has reversed. As of 2024, South Africa’s white rhino population has dropped to 14,389. In Kruger, just over 2,000 remain.

The decline in rhino populations is primarily due to poaching, fueled by international criminal syndicates, greed, and the illegal rhino horn trade. Additionally, drought and shifting climates have had an impact on rhinos. Improved monitoring can provide a more accurate count of the species.

This crisis extends far beyond conservation; it impacts national security, economic stability, and the rule of law. Rhino horn trafficking is linked to money laundering, corruption, and violent organized crime.

“Bringing rhino conservation to the global stage through the G20 is a powerful move by South Africa’s leadership and a necessary one. Political backing and international focus are key to shifting the tide for rhino populations that have been pushed to the edge. The launch of the ‘Rhino Renaissance’ initiative is encouraging, especially the plan to deploy 90 new Rhino Monitors in Kruger each year. That kind of investment in boots-on-the-ground protection matters.

“But let’s be honest, 195 rhinos lost in six months is still devastating. That’s more than one rhino killed every single day. We can’t allow those numbers to feel like ‘less bad’ is good enough. Yes, some ranger teams are operating as strongholds, but far too many are still stretched thin, underfunded, and fighting this war without the tools they need. At the same time, we’re seeing too many court cases stall or fall flat, allowing traffickers and syndicates to slip through the cracks.

“Rhino conservation can’t rest on one plan or one country. It has to be a long-term, multi-pronged, international effort—driven by real funding, solid prosecution, regional cooperation, and daily commitment in the field. The drop in numbers is progress, but we’ve got a long way to go. Progress isn’t victory. Not yet,” Mike Veale, CEO and Founder of Global Conservation Force (GCF), told WAN.

We must continue to fight for these magnificent species before it’s too late! 

In Kruger National Park 3 poachers entering the park at night came face to face with a hippopotamus: 1 poacher was mauled to death the others barely escaped

 

Foto: World Animal News

As a sobering reminder of the dangers and consequences of poaching, Kruger National Park (KNP) management recently reported an alarming incident involving suspected illegal activity within the park’s borders. New details suggest that three individuals illegally breached the park’s perimeter under the cover of darkness, intent on committing a crime. However, their illicit intentions were met with consequences when they encountered a hippo, notorious for its aggressive behavior and territorial instinct. The hippo attacked the group, proving fatal for one of the poachers.

The remaining two individuals dragged their deceased accomplice to a nearby road, where his remains were discovered by a tourist the following morning. The tourist promptly notified the park’s Section Ranger, setting off a chain reaction involving law enforcement.

As the South African Police Service delves into this incident, park authorities have issued a precautionary advisory urging visitors to withhold any photographs of the scene from the public to avoid compromising the ongoing investigation.

KNP Management has reinforced its warning against unauthorized entry into the park, highlighting the numerous dangers, ranging from fatal wildlife encounters to arrest and legal repercussions.

This incident serves as a grim reminder of the harsh realities of poaching—not only endangering the lives of vulnerable wildlife but also putting people at risk. The call for awareness and action is more urgent than ever, as poaching not only decimates individual animals but also jeopardizes entire species and disrupts fragile ecosystems.

Anti-poaching units courageously confront these threats in their mission to safeguard endangered species. Their success is contingent upon generous contributions and support from animal lovers around the world. Supporting anti-poaching initiatives is vital to preserve our planet’s rich biodiversity.

“Incidents like this highlight the dangerous environments rangers face every day while protecting wildlife and ecosystems,” Mike Veale, Founder of Global Conservation Force, told WAN. “Wild animals and the unforgiving conditions of these habitats are often the greatest risks, not only for those who enter parks illegally but also for the rangers who work tirelessly to safeguard these areas. This serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of wildlife conservation and the importance of supporting those on the frontlines.”

The Global Conservation Force exemplifies their commitment to this cause, actively supporting anti-poaching units, wildlife rangers, and conservation programs across the globe. Their relentless efforts are integral to protecting at-risk wildlife and ensuring ecosystems thrive for the benefit of future generations.025

Br
Karen Lapizco

De politie va Bali redt veel bedreigde schildpadden uit de handen van poachers en op de Filippijnen worden poachers na een opleiding protectors van wilde dieren

 

De politie van Bali redt 21 bedreigde groene zeeschildpadden van stroper

Groene zeeschildpad, foto: Canva

De politie van Bali heeft dinsdag 21 bedreigde groene zeeschildpadden gered van een stroper. De schildpadden worden verzorgd in een lokaal natuurbeschermingscentrum en zullen worden teruggebracht naar het wild zodra ze volledig zijn hersteld.

De autoriteiten vielen het huis van een 46-jarige man binnen nadat ze meerdere meldingen van de lokale bevolking hadden ontvangen over vermoedelijke illegale handel in schildpadvlees voor consumptie. De politie van Bali ontdekte een mix van kleine en grote schildpadden in een onderhoudsbad bij de accommodatie. Als hij wordt veroordeeld, kan hij een gevangenisstraf van vijf jaar en een boete van 100 miljoen roepia ($ 6.792) krijgen.

Dit incident volgt op een reddingsoperatie eerder dit jaar, waarbij de Indonesische autoriteiten 43 schildpadden van stropers redden tijdens een routinepatrouille van de marine in de wateren van Bali.

De populatie groene zeeschildpadden, een van de grootste zeeschildpaddensoorten, is de afgelopen jaren aanzienlijk afgenomen. Dit komt door factoren zoals jagen, verlies van nestplaatsen op het strand, verstrikt raken in vistuig en het binnenkrijgen van grote hoeveelheden plastic afval in de oceanen.

De Animal Reader brengt je het laatste nieuws over dieren en hun omgeving. Volg The Animal Reader op Google Nieuws en abonneer je hier op onze wekelijkse e-mail!

Baby sea turtle