RENCTAS, a Portuguese acronym for 'Brazilian Network to Fight the Trafficking of Wild Animals' is a non-profit making organisation whose mission is to fight the trafficking of wild animals and to preserve Brazilian biodiversity.
Brazil is home to an enormous biological diversity, which is thought to have more animal species than any other country - its ecosystems comprise more than 10% of the 1.4 million live species already known to science.
Although wild animal trafficking was prohibited by law in Brazil in 1967 it still continues at an alarming rate. Animals are treated as mere commodities and cruelty is inherent to dealer activities. The rarer the species, the higher the market value for traders. Almost 38 million animals are stolen from the forests of Brazil each year to supply animal dealers across the globe. According to RENCTAS, there are approximately 400 specialised gangs trafficking in wild animals in Brazil.
In July 2001, the US Embassy and RENCTAS hosted the first South American Conference on the illegal traffic in wild animals. The conference gathered some 150 experts, including representatives from government and non-government organisations from all South American countries as well as international groups that combat the trafficking of wild animals.
