This slide show contains images of dead animal hides being illegally sold
around the country of Ecuador that I have just happened to come across in
my travels. I was not even looking for evidence of illegal wildlife items
for sale! All of these skins in this slide show are from endangered wild feline
species, such as ocelot and margays. It is against Ecuador and International
laws to kill endangered species, sell live endangered species, or sell the
dead body parts of any endangered species.
Despite these laws to protect wildlife, I continually run across these cat
skins for sale all over the country of Ecuador because the government simply
does not actively enforce their national or international laws regarding the
wildlife trade. I have found skins for sale openly in many different types
of venues: booths in outdoor craft markets, gas stations, mini-marts, on the
road side, and even in upscale shops in the Ecuadorian capital, Quito.
Something must be done to put a stop to this senseless killing of rare and
beautiful wildlife. Since the Ecuadorian government cannot enforce their laws
to protect wildlife, we wish to expose this travesty to the rest of the world.
People must speak up for the animals who cannot speak for themselves. Through
the Kumanii Wildlife Rescue Center, we shall promote conservation education
about wildlife to teach the local people to preserve their wildlife instead
of killing it to make a knife handle or fancy chair seat cover.
Tracy Wilson,
Kumanii Wildlife Rescue Center Director
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