BOGOTA: Colombian authorities intercepted a trafficking attempt at Bogota airport, seizing 130 poisonous harlequin frogs and arresting a Brazilian woman carrying them. The woman, en route to Sao Paulo with a stopover in Panama, claimed the frogs were a gift from a local community. The harlequin poison frogs, a venomous and endangered species, measure less than five centimeters and inhabit damp forests along the Pacific coast from Ecuador to Colombia and other regions in Central and South America.
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Bogota Environment Secretary Adriana Soto revealed details of the arrest, emphasizing the international market demand for these endangered frogs. Police Commander Juan Carlos Arevalo highlighted that private collectors might pay up to $1,000 for each frog. The arrested woman faces charges of wildlife trafficking, and the case has been handed over to the prosecutor’s office.
Colombia, known for its rich biodiversity, faces challenges in combating animal trafficking, especially of amphibians, small mammals, and marine animal parts. The interception underscores the importance of biodiversity conservation efforts in the region. The collaboration between Colombia and Brazil may play a crucial role in addressing cross-border wildlife trafficking issues and strengthening conservation measures.
