The Illegal Traffic in Sloths and Threats to Their Survival in Colombia

Moreno, Sergio; Plese, Tinka

doi:10.1896/1413-4411.7.1.10

Cited by 39 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Taking the use of brown-throated three-toed sloths as a case in point; a total of six sloths were observed being used in this manner during our main fieldwork, however none of these same animals were observed just five months later during a brief reconnaissance in April 2017. Although it was not possible for us to specifically determine the fate of these animals, mortalities are a distinct possibility given the relatively low reported survival rate of this species at rescue and rehabilitation facilities (Moreno and Plese 2006) and the technical challenges associated with successful wild release (IUCN 2017).…”

Section: Conservation Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of wildlife ecotourism in Manaus, Brazil

D’Cruze¹,

Machado²,

Matthews³

et al. 2017

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The Amazon's ability to draw tourists is thought to be strongly associated with the opportunity to have sight of and interact with iconic wild animals. Tourism leaders are calling for the private and public sectors to develop wildlife focused ecotourism in this region. However, specific information regarding current practice and their impact on wildlife is lacking. Although wildlife ecotourism here remains in its relative infancy, our study demonstrates that a wide variety of wildlife-focused activities are already being promoted and provided to tourists who visit the city of Manaus in Brazil. Issues of potential wildlife conservation and animal welfare concern include wildlife-baiting, swim-with free-ranging pink river dolphin activity, the use of captive wild animals as photo props and the sale of wildlife body parts as souvenirs. We found that tour guides actively promoted these activities on 77% of excursions attended, which involved a range of different wild animals, representing at least 10 different species from three different taxonomic classes. From a legal perspective, despite the potential risks imposed to wildlife and tourist well-being, there are still no specific laws regulating feeding, touching and swimming with pink river dolphins in Brazil. However, the illegality of advertising and providing direct physical contact wildlife 'photo prop' tourism is demonstrated by enforcement action taken by wildlife authorities during our study. We suggest that tourist focused human behavior change initiatives should become a critical component of a wider holistic approach to effectively balance wildlife protection goals and any expansion of wildlife ecotourism in the Amazon.

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Section: Conservation Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of wildlife ecotourism in Manaus, Brazil

D’Cruze¹,

Machado²,

Matthews³

et al. 2017

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“…In the case of sloths their arboreal habits, slow movements, and time spent in the canopy make direct observation difficult, thus limiting the recording of occurrences. Hence, as shown by Moreno and Plese (2006) Table 1. Figure 2.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 88%

Comportamento Potencialmente Reprodutivo da Preguiça-comum, Bradypus variegatus (Xenarthra, Bradypodidae): Observações de Campo

Lara-Ruiz¹,

Srbek‐Araujo²

2006

Edentata

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“…As regards management and conservation, on the conservation status -diagnosis of threats for the species (Table 3), it was found that the main threats identified for the survival of sloth populations in Colombia were the construction of infrastructure, forest clearance (Carmona 2003;Moreno 2003;Álvarez et al 2004) and illegal trade (Moreno and Plese 2006;Humañez-López et al 2015). As regards management actions for conservation (Table 3), a series of rehabilitation, -reintroduction and relocation protocols have been issued as accessible tools for those in charge of ex-situ management to achieve a proper rehabilitation and subsequent reintroduction into the natural habitats of this species (Plese and Moreno 2005).…”

Section: A 2b 2c 2dmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and current state of knowledge of Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) in Colombia, with comments on the variations of its external morphological traits

Plese

Reyes-Amaya

Castro-Vásquez

et al. 2016

Therya

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Hoffmann's two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) has been extensively studied since the 1940s in some countries across its distribution range. However, several aspects of its biology remain unexplored or have been described superficially. This study updated the geographic distribution of this sloth species in Colombia, describing external traits of specimens that inhabit different areas of the country. Additionally, a revision of the current state of knowledge of this species in Colombia was conducted, with a focus on the identification of information gaps and the major threats affecting this species. An updated map of the distribution of C. hoffmanni in Colombia was elaborated, including the distribution reported by IUCN, the records of specimens received in the Xenarthra center for rescue and rehabilitation (CRRX, for its acronym in Spanish; primary information), the wildlife care centers of the Autonomous Regional Corporations (CARs, for its acronym in Spanish), and records of biological collections available online (secondary information). CRRX specimens were examined externally, and the external morphological characteristics (skull and body shape; pelage color, length and density) were described. A comprehensive literature review was performed, compiling studies conducted over the last two decades on this species in Colombia, analyzing their respective contributions to its knowledge. The records obtained provide localities of occurrence for the species not previously recognized by IUCN, in 54 municipalities of 12 departments of Colombia. There are external morphological patterns defining lowland (interandean valleys and Caribbean region), highland (Colombian Andes) and Colombian Pacific populations. The biggest information gaps regard demography, distribution and genetics. The main threats identified are habitat loss (infrastructure construction, forest clearance) and removal of specimen (illegal trade). The localities of occurrence obtained confirm the distribution of this species in areas previously suggested at the north and center of the Cordillera Occidental, Cordillera Central and Cauca River valley, besides the north, center and south of the Cordillera Oriental, Piedemonte Llanero, and the southern Magdalena River valley. The external revision of specimens from the CRRX shows that although it is impossible to derive clear taxonomic inferences from the evidence collected, pelage color, length and density are the most representative external traits that differentiate lowland, highland and Pacific Colombian populations. The prioritization of issues such as the conservation status and threats in the investigation of this species in Colombia during the last twenty years have relegated key aspects such as demography, distribution, taxonomy and genetics, a fact that poses a challenge for the execution of proper management actions in the country.Key words: Choloepus hoffmanni; conservation; distribution; population density.El perezoso de dos dedos de Hoffmann (Choloepus hoffmanni) ha sido ampliamente estudiad...

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The Illegal Traffic in Sloths and Threats to Their Survival in Colombia

Cited by 39 publications

References 4 publications

A review of wildlife ecotourism in Manaus, Brazil

A review of wildlife ecotourism in Manaus, Brazil

Comportamento Potencialmente Reprodutivo da Preguiça-comum, Bradypus variegatus (Xenarthra, Bradypodidae): Observações de Campo

Distribution and current state of knowledge of Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) in Colombia, with comments on the variations of its external morphological traits

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