Human exploitation of natural resources have considerable effects on the environment. Among many consequences, the destruction of wildlife is one of the largest. Currently, according to a study of the National Union for the Conservation of Nature, 22,408 species in the world are in danger of extinction and many of these animals are exploited for domestic or economic purposes. Among these are the bluefin tuna used for sushi, the asian elephant hunted for its ivory, the sumatran orangutan used as a pet in several places, and the polar bear displaced from its natural habitat by climate change.
Bolivia has a total of 68 species in danger of extinction, eleven of which are found in the city of Cochabamba. These include the Ñandú, Andean Flamingos, parrots, the Condor, the Quirquincho, the Andean Bear or Jukumari Bear, and the Leopard among others. Most of these animals suffer from illegal commercialization or trafficking. For this reason Gaia Pacha launched the campaign, “Latidos Silvestres” (Wild Beats). This campaign has the aim of raising awareness in Cochabamba through talks and seminars covering the problems with the treatment and trafficking of wild animals.
Markets catering to the purchase of wild animals is one of the ways in which the population contributes to a culture that allows the trafficking and mistreatment of animals to continue. For this reason, the Gaia Pacha Foundation seeks the participation of Cochabamba’s organizations in support of this initiative. These organizations will create added value in their place of work, cause improvement of ecosystems, and stand out from other organizations for their roles in in community building.
Workshops can raise a collective awareness against commercialization and illegal treatment of these species within communities. This begins with stopping the illegal purchases of wild animals by the population and then progresses to generating initiatives that guarantee the protection of Bolivian wildlife and ecosystems.
“Wild Beats”
GAIA PACHA FOUNDATION
Sources:
- http://www.agenciasinc.es/Noticias/Mas-de-22.000-especies-estan-en-peligro-de-extincion-en-todo-el-mundo
- http://www.telesurtv.net/multimedia/En-fotos-Los-15-animales-en-peligro-de-extincion-en-el-mundo-20150825-1035.html
- https://noticiasambientalescochabamba.wordpress.com/tag/fauna-y-flora/
- http://www.erbol.com.bo/noticia/social/26042014/bolivia_contribuye_al_cambio_climatico_tanto_como_rusia