PROFEPA seizes wild animals in Motul, Yucatán

During an inspection visit in response to a citizen complaint, the Federal Office of Environmental Protection (Profepa) seized eleven illegal wildlife specimens that were kept inside a house in the town of Motul, Yucatán.

A female spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) female, two hawks (Accipiter spp), a guayabero parrot (Amazona albifrons), three peacocks (Pavo cristatus) -one male and two females -, a chachalaca (Ortalis vetula), and two mojina or savanna turtles (Rhinoclemmys areolata).

During the inspection, the owner of the specimens could not prove their legal provenance, so based on articles 114 and 119, section I of the General Wildlife Law (LGVS), the assurance of the specimens was determined.

Of the seized animals, three species are listed as endangered in the Official Mexican Standard; such as the spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), with category of Endangered of Extinction (P); the guayabero parrot (Amazona albifrons), subject to special protection (Pr) and the tortoises (Rhinoclemmys areolata), also under the status of Endangered species (A).

These three specimens located within the aforementioned NOM, were taken to the Animaya Bicentennial Zoological Park in Mérida Yucatán, for their attention and care while their legal status is determined.

The rest of the wildlife specimens remained in temporary custody, since it is necessary to meet certain conditions for the transfer, to guarantee their safety and health.

It should be noted that the General Law of Wildlife establishes as infraction the possession of wildlife specimens outside their natural habitat, without having the means to demonstrate their legal provenance, which can be sanctioned with a fine of up to 50,000 pesos.

Source: lajornadamaya.mx