Austrian biologist caught smuggling endangered species from Brazil valued for $ 100 000/- let off with $100 fine and safe return to Austria

After trafficking in arms and drugs, the illegal international trafficking of endangered wild life is the third largest business amounting to an annual trade of as much as 20 billion dollars. It is believed that as many as 300 to 400 criminal organizations are involved in the endangered animal trafficking trade in Brazil with 40 of the same people also being associated with drug trafficking.

Johann Zillingher, a 39 year old Austrian biologist was recently caught smuggling $100,000 worth of rare poisonous snakes, rainbow-colored parrots, parakeets and birds' eggs snatched from their nests soon before they were to hatch. Many of these rare animals are bought for a few paltry dollars from poor tribals who live in the interiors of Brazil and other Latin American countries. However, each captured animal may fetch a price of as much as $ 10, 000 /- and much more in the international market. Some endangered birds like Lear's Macaw, who number just 300 in the wild in Brazil, can be sold for as much as $60,000 in the United States.

And Brazil, like most of the Latin American countries has a poor vigilance network and enforcement laws. Anyone caught trafficking endangered wild animals may be fined a paltry amount ranging from 25 -120 dollars. The Austrian biologist, Zillingher, was released after a fine to a bail of 100 dollars and actually allowed to go scot free and return to Austria. The worst tragedy of the trade is that nine of every ten animals that are caught die. Besides, this they are often subjected to severe physical abuse, and are often drugged and starved for several days during the transit journey from one country to another.

Brazil is in a way making an attempt to counter the trade network. Recently, the country held a conference sponsored by the National Network to Fight Traffic in Wild Animals and the US State department of justice to fight traffic in wild animals. Brazil and other Latin American countries urgently need to change their laws. One just hopes that their actions may not be too late!