Region: Latin America

Humane Society International / Latin America

HSI

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica—This year, Humane Society International/Latin America has conducted three comprehensive trainings for Costa Rican authorities on how to properly handle wildlife either seized or rescued in police and judicial operations. According to the Judicial Police’s Specialized Section against Environmental Crimes, between 2022 and 2023, 534 wild animals were seized in Costa Rica.

These workshops are part of the “Improving Costa Rica’s capacity to combat wildlife trafficking” project, funded by the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and administered by Humane Society International in coordination with Costa Rica’s National Environmental Security Commission.

During the workshops, public officials learned how to properly handle seized or rescued wildlife, how to protect people involved in confiscation processes and how to feed and transport wild animals. They also learned about a new online guidebook designed to help enforcement officers identify different species and to provide them with information on legal protections, conservation status and handling techniques for different animals.

“For the Attorney General’s Office, ongoing training and inter-institutional coordination are key to environmental law enforcement. Knowing how to properly manage seized wild animals, their products and by-products, is the best way to guarantee, first, protection of these public domain assets and, second, appropriate sanctions for people who are illegally hunting and trafficking them,” said Jose Pablo Gonzalez, deputy environmental prosecutor and national environmental security commission coordinator for the Costa Rica Attorney General’s Office.

“The majority of wild animals seized or rescued in police and judicial operations have experienced captivity, stress and abuse. That is why at HSI we seek to support law enforcement authorities so that they are prepared to handle these animals in a humane and safe way, not only thinking about the animals themselves but also the safety and wellbeing of the people involved”, said Andrea Borel, executive director of HSI/Latin America.

Officials from the Ministry of Public Security (police force, national coast guard service, border police and air control) attended the workshops, as well as officials from the Ministry of Environment and Energy (the National System of Conservation Areas, the National Commission for Biodiversity and the Administrative Environmental Tribunal), the National Animal Health Service (SENASA), the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) and the Attorney General’s Office.

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Media contact: Alejandra Zuniga: alezuniga@outlook.com

Humane Society International / Latin America

Claudio Ramirez/ For HSI

VIÑA DEL MAR, Chile—From a makeshift veterinary hospital set up in a local school in the wildfire-impacted city of Viña del Mar in Chile, the disaster relief team from animal charity Humane Society International is helping to treat dogs and cats with distressing injuries.

Animals are brought in with painful burns to their paws and bodies, breathing difficulties from smoke inhalation and infected eyes from falling ash and debris. Animals are also experiencing dehydration and malnutrition from spending days fending for themselves after becoming separated from their families during the fire. Since the hospital was first established after the fire, around 150 animals have received treatment at the hospital, where HSI’s disaster relief team has deployed at the request of the Viña authorities. HSI will also begin search and rescue in more remote areas where they expect to find more animal casualties in need of treatment.

Daniela Sanchez, HSI’s Chile country director, who lives in the local area, said: “The majority of dog and cat casualties are coming into the field hospital with painful skin burns, breathing problems and other issues caused by direct contact with the fires or burning materials. These animals have been through a very frightening ordeal compounded by being separated from the comfort of their families, so we are also treating many of them for shock as well as dehydration and malnutrition. Every day we are seeing desperate locals coming to the hospital searching for their beloved animal companions in the hope of being reunited. We are working hard to make those happy reunions possible so that despite the devastation this fire has caused, at least people and their pets can be together again to help each other get through the trauma.”

Felipe Marquez, HSI Latin America’s disaster response program manager from Mexico, has responded to many disasters and believes that for the sake of both people and animals, there is an increasing need for climate change-related disaster preparedness as such events become more frequent and intense. According to the United Nations Environment Program, wildfires are likely to increase by up to 14% by 2030 and 50% by 2100 due to climate change and land use change which are leading to “hotter, drier and longer fire seasons.”

HSI’s Marquez says: “Millions of people and animals across the planet, including here in Viña del Mar, are victims of climate change-exacerbated disaster events. This is becoming a more frequent reality for animal rescue teams such as HSI’s which is why we focus a lot on helping communities and local authorities better prepare for the inevitable. For now though, our immediate priority here in Chile is to attend animal casualties, distribute food, water and veterinary supplies, as well as head out on search and rescue to find animals for whom help has not yet come. We know from our field experience responding to earthquakes, wildfires and floods around the world that injured or sick animals can survive for some time by scavenging a little food and water, but without treatment they can succumb to injuries and infections. So, we’re hoping to reach as many as possible and bring them back to the hospital for proper care.”

HSI’s disaster relief team comprise members from Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and the United States. Between them they have years of experience in animal search and rescue, including during Australia’s wildfires in 2020 and the earthquakes in Türkiye last year.

Download Photos/Video 

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Media contact: Wendy Higgins, director of international media: whiggins@hsi.org

Humane Society International’s disaster relief team to help local volunteers find and treat hundreds of dogs and cats

Humane Society International / Latin America

Claudio Ramirez for HSI

VIÑA DEL MAR, Chile—A disaster relief team from animal charity Humane Society International will deploy to Chile this weekend to help hundreds of animal victims of the devastating wildfires. Thousands of people have been affected in central and southern Chile, including hundreds who are missing or dead. Alongside this human tragedy, potentially hundreds of companion animals are suffering with burns, smoke inhalation and other injuries, with many dogs and cats displaced with or without their families.

Members of HSI’s disaster relief team deploying to Chile have years of experience in animal search and rescue, including during Australia’s wildfires in 2020 and the earthquakes in Türkiye last year. Initially based at a veterinary field hospital in Viña del Mar, HSI’s team of experienced disaster responders will be coming from the United States, Mexico, Colombia and Costa Rica over the next weeks, to assist local volunteers in the aid effort for injured and displaced animals. Responders will also help expand capacity in other affected areas, implement a system for reuniting pets with their people and distribute much needed food, water and veterinary supplies. Additionally, HSI will provide an emergency grant of financial aid to local rescue group Fundación Quiltro to help get veterinary and relief supplies to the animals and their people most in need.

HSI’s Chile country director, Daniela Sanchez, says: “This the deadliest wildfire in Chilean history has brought devastation and tragic loss of life to both the people and animals of Chile. Dogs and cats are coming into the field hospital with painful burns, smoke inhalation, as well as injuries, shock, dehydration and malnutrition. Some animals have been picked up alone and afraid, separated from their human families. Humane Society International’s disaster relief team will be helping local volunteers and veterinarians provide care for these animal victims, as well as distributing vital food, water and medical supplies. When people have lost everything in a disaster like this or experienced the trauma of such a devastating event, knowing that their animal friends are safe can bring enormous comfort, so HSI is keen to help in any way we can.”

Once established on the ground, we will be providing video b-roll and photos from our deployment and will have both English and Spanish speaking spokespeople at the scene available for interviews on request.

Donate to HSI’s Animal Rescue Fund here to provide grants, vital supplies and fund our teams in emergency situations such as this and other crises.

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Media contact: Wendy Higgins, director of international media: whiggins@hsi.org

Bulletin 13,966-11 passed unanimously by Senate, making Chile the third country in South America to abolish animal testing for cosmetics

Humane Society International / Latin America

Meredith Lee/HSUS

SANTIAGO, Chile—after a multi-year campaign by Humane Society International and ONG Te Protejo, cosmetic animal testing as well as the manufacturing, import and marketing of cosmetics tested on animals elsewhere in the world has been officially banned in Chile. This followed a unanimous vote by the full Senate session chaired by Juan Antonio Coloma on Dec. 20.

The Bill was further supported by the Animal-Free Safety Assessment Collaboration—a global initiative that brings together corporate and non-profit leaders, including Lush, Unilever, Avon, L’Oreal, Procter & Gamble, the Chilean cosmetics industry association Camera Cosmetica, and other cosmetic and chemical manufacturers.

“Thanks to the passion and determination of animal loving consumers, progressive beauty brands, and politicians across the globe who share our desire for a cruelty-free world, animal testing for cosmetics has been banned in 45 countries,” said Daniela Benavides Sanchez, Humane Society International country director for Chile. “HSI and our partners have been instrumental in securing many of these bans, including in Brazil, Mexico, Canada, India, South Korea and Australia. Today we are delighted to welcome Chile to this list of nations and commend Juan Antonio Coloma and members of Senate for making the landmark legislation a reality.”

“This is a milestone for our organization and for animals. Thanks to this initiative, countless animals will be saved from unnecessary cruelty in Chile,” stated Nicole Valdebenito, director of awareness and advocacy at NGO Te Protejo. “In addition to suffering, these experiments are outdated compared to new methods that do not require living beings.”

“This is a historic step forward thanks to the determined support of Te Protejo and Humane Society International,” said Senator Juan Luis Castro, president of the Health Commission. “We are pleased that we have taken a step in the right direction for animal protection so that cosmetics will never be tested on animals again in Chile.”

The launch of HSI’s stop-motion animated short film #SaveRalph—the heartbreaking story of a rabbit “tester” who was brought to life by a star-studded multinational and multilingual cast—influenced legislative momentum and garnered the support of the national cosmetics industry association, Camera Cosmetica and the Institute of Public Health. Upon its launch in 2021, the HSI film went viral worldwide, with more than 150 million social media views, over 865 million tags on TikTok, and generated more than 300,000 petition signatures in Chile.

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Media contact:  Emily Ehrhorn, senior specialist for media relations at HSUS, eehrhorn@humanesociety.org ; +1 2027791814

Humane Society International / Latin America

HSI

SÃO PAULO―Alibem, one of the largest pig producer integrators in Brazil, has published a new animal welfare policy that includes a commitment to reduce the months-long cage confinement of mother sows to no more than seven days, setting a new standard for all upcoming projects and facilities.

According to Humane Society International, this is a tremendous improvement over the standard group housing system that some producers have implemented. By 2031, Alibem will reduce the months-long solitary crate confinement of sows to no more than 35 days, which is 14 years before a 2045 deadline to have group housing for pigs established in Brazil.

Gestation crates, restrictive narrow metal stalls barely larger than a mother pig’s own body, deny them the freedom to move or even turn around. Mother pigs are confined during the entire length of their pregnancy, which is approximately 116 days. Confinement in the restrictive and barren crates has negative physical, psychological and behavioral impacts. In contrast, group housing systems keep sows together in pens where they have the opportunity to express natural behavior, comfortable movement and healthy social interactions. While group housing is becoming much more widespread, some producers using group housing still confine sows in crates for up to six weeks or 42 days after breeding, before moving them into group housing. HSI encourages producers to adopt crate-free systems where groups are formed before the sensitive period of the pregnancy and mother pigs are not confined in stalls for longer than seven days.

Anna Cristina Souza, policy and program manager for HSI Farm Animal Welfare and Protection in Brazil, praised the company’s decision to improve pig welfare and said: “Alibem’s commitment to go gestation crate-free for all new projects makes it a leader in animal welfare in the pig industry. This decision means that tens of thousands of mother pigs will be relieved from months confined in a crate barely larger than their own bodies.”

Souza says this signals an even brighter green light for the Brazilian pig sector to move away from gestation crates. There is a quiet revolution in Brazil, with the largest pork-producing companies implementing group housing systems Alibem joins other industry giants, such as JBS, BRF, Aurora, Pamplona, Pif Paf and Allegra, on the journey to either completely phase out or significantly reduce the amount of time that mother pigs are in solitary crate confinement. Together these companies represent most of the pig industry in Brazil.

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Media contact: Anna Cristina Souza,policy and program manager for HSI Farm Animal Welfare and Protection in Brazil, asouza@hsi.org

Black howler and spider monkeys, margay wild cat, emerald toucanet, opossums and owls among iconic species returned to the wild

Humane Society International / Latin America

Santiago Billy/AP Images for HSI

PETEN, Guatemala—Twenty-seven mammals and birds have been released back into the wild of the Guatemalan rainforest after being rescued and rehabilitated from illegal trafficking and cruelty incidents.

Non-governmental organizations Asociacion Rescate y Conservacion de Vida Silvestre, known locally as ARCAS, and Humane Society International/Latin America released the animals in the 13.3 million-acre Maya Biosphere Reserve in Petén, as part of a long-running joint project to tackle wildlife trafficking for the pet trade and other exploitative human activities. The animals include an endangered wild cat―a margay―three endangered black howler monkeys, two endangered spider monkeys and several birds including an emerald toucanet.

Many of the animals, including a tayra and a screech owl, arrived at the ARCAS sanctuary as juveniles, their mother having likely been killed by traffickers or hunters. The rehabilitation process included teaching them the skills they need to survive in the wild such as how to fly, jump, run, hide from predators, and identify and hunt for food. While the margay, howler and spider monkeys are classified as Category 2: Endangered in Guatemala under national protection legislation, other species―such as the opossum and bat falcon―are impacted by habitat loss due to deforestation for farming and by negative interactions with humans.

Imperilled species are highly valued in the wildlife trade because of their rarity, leading to overexploitation and black-market trade, pushing some of these species further toward risk of extinction. The rehabilitation of these animals is essential to strengthen the populations of endemic and endangered species in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, which have been considerably depleted in their natural habitats. For example, three black howler monkeys were among those released by ARCAS and HSI/LA, the oldest male having been kept as a pet for four months prior to rescue, while the females were rescued from the pet trade without having suffered prolonged captivity.

Andrea Borel, executive director of Humane Society International/Latin America was present for the rainforest release and said: “The capture of wild animals for the national and international pet trade is a real problem in Guatemala. These animals are often kept in cramped, inadequate conditions not suitable for their species, and denied the ability to exhibit their natural behaviors which can further cause them physical and psychological distress. For every wild animal kept as a pet, it’s also likely that several others will have died including their mother who is often killed while trying to protect her babies from traffickers. As many of these species also contend with the ever-increasing pressure of habitat loss, it’s a real concern for our wild ecosystems.

By supporting and working with our local partner, ARCAS, this rescue, rehabilitation and release program is giving these animals back their freedom as well as increasing their wild populations to ensure future breeding in their natural forest habitat where they belong. We also work together on awareness raising to urge citizens not to buy wild animals as pets and to help us by reporting any such suspicious activity to the authorities.”

ARCAS carries out the physical, medical and behavioral rehabilitation of victims of wildlife trafficking and exploitative human activities, under strict scientific management standards. HSI/Latin America and ARCAS have been working together in wildlife protection and conservation in Guatemala since 2004. The release was conducted with the authorization of Guatemalan authorities from the National Council for Protected Areas, or CONAP. The Maya Biosphere Reserve is in the northern Petén region of Guatemala, part of the Mesoamerica’s Maya Forest, the second largest remaining tropical rainforest in the Americas.

ARCAS director Fernando Martinez said: “Our mission is to reinforce existing wildlife populations, to prevent the extinction of species and thus ensure that there are healthy populations capable of adapting and reproducing in their natural habitat. We are proud that our rescue center is a pioneer in endemic species rehabilitation and release in our region, and we appreciate HSI/Latin America’s support.”

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Media contact: Wendy Higgins, HSI’s director of international media: whiggins@hsi.org

Humane Society International / Latin America

Veterinary care for cats at criminal detention center in Chile. Claudio Ramírez for HSI. 

SANTIAGO, Chile―Almost 100 cats living in Chile’s largest and oldest prison facility have received veterinary care for the first time thanks to a joint program by Humane Society International and local Chilean charity Felinnos Foundation. The cats living with the estimated 4,482 inmates at the Santiago Sur Criminal Detention Center were spayed and neutered, vaccinated and treated for wounds and parasite infections.

Cats were originally introduced at the penitentiary―known locally as the CDP―to control the rodent population. However, with no sterilization services, the cat population has grown uncontrollably in living conditions that are extremely challenging for both prisoners and animals. The largely cement paved outdoor spaces do not provide the cats with adequate environments to relieve themselves, generating a hygiene problem, and as inmates are not permitted to bring cat food into the prison, the animals live on leftover human food. The lack of food for the cats poses health issues for the cats along with the risk that some inmates who care for several cats go without adequate food themselves.

The most critical issue, however, is that the cats do not receive any veterinary care, resulting in untreated wounds, disease and high kitten mortality. Some inmates attempt to treat the cats as best that they can, often using home remedies with the limited resources available. Despite the challenging circumstances, many inmates have a strong and loving bond with  the cats they care for, and a genuine desire to improve the quality of life for these animals.

The groups carried out the prison cat program over three days in cooperation with the Chilean Gendarmerie. Around 30 cats per day were collected from the prison, given medical care for any conditions, spayed/neutered, vaccinated against rabies, kept overnight to recover, and then returned to their inmate guardians or to the penitentiary location where they were found. Cat food was also provided to the inmates so that the cats receive proper nutrition.

Dr. Katherine Polak, Humane Society International’s vice president of companion animals and engagement, says: “Prison cat programs help both pets and people, having a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of prisoners, cats, administrators and society at large. Spaying and neutering helps stabilize the cat population and prevents excess kittens from being born. Providing medical care helps ensure cats are kept healthy, live longer and the potential for zoonotic disease transmission is minimized. Ultimately the cats help people too, by lowering inmate stress levels, providing companionship and fostering opportunities for inmates to express nurturing behaviors and responsibility. There is even evidence to suggest that inmates who interact with cats while in prison are less likely to reoffend.”

Marcela Diaz, Humane Society International’s manager for companion animals and engagement in Chile, says: “This comprehensive prison cat program at the Santiago Sur Criminal Detention Center is unique in Chile, working with all stakeholders to foster an appreciation of and participation in humane animal care and population management. It’s also a great example of collaboration between private and non-government organizations to improve the living conditions, health and well-being of cats residing in the CDP. In recent years, the number of inmates requesting medical care and food for the cats has increased, highlighting the importance of preserving the human-animal bond.”

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Media contact:

  • Wendy Higgins, HSI director of international media,  whiggins@hsi.org
  • Marcela Diaz, HSI companion animal program manager in Chile,  mdiaz@hsi.org; +56 9 81569726

Humane Society International trains local authorities in Central America on forensic veterinary sciences

Humane Society International / Latin America

HSI

SAN JOSE—More than 250 government officials, veterinarians and other professionals in Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala attended a series of trainings provided by the animal protection organization Humane Society International to reinforce their knowledge investigative techniques and forensic veterinary medicine to apply in cases of crimes committed against animals.

In all three countries, officials participated in a workshop that addressed topics such as crime scene inspection, evidence collection and errors that may affect the chain of custody. For veterinarians, trainings involved their role in identifying animal cruelty and crimes against wildlife and how to properly describe injuries and create expert reports and other topics.

Victor Gonzalez, veterinarian and director of the International Animal Forensic Science Working Group, carried out a simulation that allowed participants to put into practice their crime scene investigation knowledge.

“Through this training, we want to share different perspectives that must be taken into account in both civil and criminal investigation of cases where animals are involved. Today, many guidelines for crimes committed against humans are followed, but perhaps we should follow a different path, due to the context in which these types of illegal acts occur,” said Gonzalez.

“For example, understanding how to handle a crime scene—which is the starting point of any investigation—is crucial for all subsequent laboratory work and for the final interpretation, where different disciplines must participate. It is changing the paradigm of what exists until today, for a more comprehensive vision,” Gonzalez added.

“It’s important for law enforcement officials to be well versed in crimes committed against animals. Our work in Central America supporting local authorities with animal welfare is incredibly meaningful because it increases the chances that these cases will be properly investigated and prosecuted,” Andrea Borel, director of HSI/Latin America, said.

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Media Contact: Alejandra Zúñiga: (506) 7012-5598; alezuniga@outlook.com

High-level workshop bolsters battle against major threat to Costa Rica’s biodiversity

Humane Society International / Latin America

HSI/Latin America

SAN JOSE— This week, top officials from national judicial bodies and ministries convened at the National Police Academy in Pococi, Limon Province, to intensify their fight against the illicit trade ravaging Costa Rica’s native wildlife. Backed by Humane Society International, the four-day training is a direct response to the escalating plunder and trade of wildlife species.

Wildlife trafficking has become not only a threat to hundreds of species but also one of the most lucrative illegal trades in the world, with an annual value of up to USD 20 billion. Animals such as glass frogs and beetles are increasingly illegally extracted from the Costa Rican rainforest to be paraded as exotic pets while birds, sea turtles and butterflies are killed to turn their parts into trinkets.

“Latin America is a region with a great diversity of species and, in particular, Costa Rica is considered ‘megadiverse.’ This generates a spotlight on wildlife, which becomes a resource under pressure due to human action. Wildlife trafficking in this region is a considerable threat to our biodiversity,” said Jose Pablo Gonzalez, deputy environmental prosecutor and National Environmental Security Commission coordinator.

Enhancing coordination among law enforcement agencies and hands-on drills to identify wildlife crimes at airport checkpoints were some of the topics addressed at the second workshop of the series “Combating wildlife trafficking in Costa Rica and its manifestations at the regional and national level.”

More than 40 representatives of national authorities gathered to ramp up efforts in investigating and prosecuting wildlife crime originating or transiting through Costa Rica, including officials from the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Judicial Investigation Agency and its Forensic Sciences Laboratory, the Attorney General’s office, and the National Animal Health Service.

This series of workshops, as well as a previous donation of specialized equipment, are part of a project funded by the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs  and administered by Humane Society International/Latin America, in coordination with Costa Rica’s National Environmental Security Commission. The workshops were organized by the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

“At HSI, we view wildlife trafficking as a major threat to species around the world, including endangered ones. These animals suffer greatly and end their days as pets, decorations or souvenirs, and this is unacceptable. Therefore, we are pleased to support authorities in their investigation and prosecution efforts to reduce wildlife trafficking that originates or transits through Costa Rica,” said Andrea Borel, HSI/Latin America executive director.

“Wildlife trade encourages other illegal activities, is extremely cruel to animals, and represents a risk to human health. For this reason, we are very grateful and honored to collaborate with Costa Rican authorities in improving their capacities to combat this environmental crime,” said Joaquin de la Torre, IFAW’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

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Media contact: Alejandra Zuniga, alezuniga@outlook.com

Some of the iconic species include anteaters, kinkajous and howler monkeys

Humane Society International / Latin America

Santiago Billy/AP Images for HSI

PETEN, Guatemala—In a joint effort by non-governmental organizations Humane Society International/Latin America and Asociacion Rescate y Conservacion de Vida Silvestre—which is known as  ARCAS—40 animals of 14 different species were released in the Yaxha Nakum Naranjo National Park in Peten, Guatemala, after being rescued from illegal trafficking and going through a rigorous rehabilitation process.

With the authorization of Guatemalan authorities from the National Council for Protected Areas, or CONAP, the animals were released to the Maya Biosphere Reserve following rehabilitation after falling victim to wildlife trafficking or negative interactions with humans. Some of the rehabilitation activities included learning how to fly, jump, run, hide from predators and identify food in the wild.

“Keeping wild animals as ‘pets’ is a dangerous trend that is seriously affecting our ecosystems,” said Andrea Borel, executive director of HSI/Latin America. “Together with our local partner, ARCAS, we work to give these animals—who should have never been taken from their homes—a second chance in life to grow and flourish.”

Endangered species are highly valued in the wildlife trade because of their rarity, leading to overexploitation and black-market trade, and pushing these species further toward extinction. The rehabilitation of these animals is essential in strengthening the populations of endemic and endangered species in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, which have been considerably depleted and diminished in their natural habitats by human action. Release and rehabilitation of these animals is necessary to ensure that there are healthy populations capable of adapting and reproducing in their natural habitat.

ARCAS carries out the physical, medical and behavioral rehabilitation of victims of wildlife trafficking under strict scientific management standards and later releases animals into their natural habitat. HSI/Latin America and ARCAS have been working together in wildlife protection and conservation in Guatemala since 2004.

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