Aplicación de la Ley para el Combate del Tráfico Ilegal de Vida Silvestre en México: El caso de Charco Cercado

Abstract

The illegal traffic of wild life is one of the principal factors which affect the native populations of biological species. In Mexico, this illegal activity has been poorly documented. This paper describes the case of Charco Cercado, a locality in the State of San Luis Potosi, Mexico; which historically has been an example of impunity in the illegal trade of flora and fauna. The historical overview covers from 1970 to 2011, considering the steps and links in the illicit chain, the differentiation by sex and age of persons involved in the trade. The stalls installed at the edge of the Federal highway 57, the mobilized species, as well as the government actions taken for promoting the application of Law and Enforcement. The way and organization in which this illegal activity is made; it is similar for any kind of species. For this reason all illegally traded groups are considered in this paper. Recent impacts and achievements are described in the combat against wildlife trafficking in Charco Cercado, highlighting the fact that all stalls were destroyed and the head people involved in the trafficking of individuals, products and byproducts, were arrested and submitted to legal processes. The results documented for at least 51 species of wildlife, including 6 of reptiles, 32 birds and 13 mammals. Some recommendations are proposed to eliminate definitively the illegal wildlife trade in this town and in other regions of Mexico.