Bolivia's Street Food: Selling Dead Animals To Tourists

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America with a diverse geography and a rich cultural heritage. It is also one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, with a wide variety of animal, bird, and plant species. However, the country faces a crisis of abandoned dogs and illegal wildlife trafficking, with thousands of animals falling victim to the illegal trade each year. This trade is particularly lucrative due to the country's biological diversity and the financial situation of its citizens, with approximately 39% of Bolivians living in poverty. While Bolivia has implemented laws to protect animals and the environment, the applicability and enforcement of these laws remain challenging.

Animal trafficking

Bolivia is a landlocked country in central-western South America, boasting a diverse geography and an array of ecosystems. It is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, with over 40% of all animal and plant life on Earth found in its tropical rainforests and Pantanal wetlands. The country's laws are beautifully written and seem to highly regard nature and animals. However, the applicability of these laws is challenging, and wildlife trafficking remains a lucrative illegal business in the country.

Wild animals are targeted for various purposes:

• Skin, tusks, and other body parts: Jaguars, Andean armadillos, and birds for their feathers are sought after. In the past, traditional Bolivian dance costumes used feathers from protected birds, and armadillos were used as musical instruments.
• Pets: Wild animals such as parrots, macaws, monkeys, and coatis are often chosen as exotic pets, with a high demand for these species in both domestic and international markets.
• Meat: Wild pigs, jochis (a type of rodent), and other species are consumed as food, particularly in communities living deep in the jungle.

The impact of animal trafficking in Bolivia is devastating, with only about 1 in 10 animals surviving the process. The trade causes immense suffering and death, and those that do reach their final destination are unable to return to their natural habitat in the wild.

Efforts to Combat Animal Trafficking

Bolivia has taken steps to address the issue of animal trafficking. The 2009 Bolivian Constitution includes the right to a protected, healthy, and balanced environment for both humans and other living beings. It also establishes that wildlife trafficking is a crime. Additionally, the Law for the Defense of Animals against Acts of Cruelty and Mistreatment (Ley 700, 2015) recognises animals as part of "mother earth," granting them respect and protection against cruelty.

Despite these legal measures, the enforcement of these laws remains challenging due to various factors, including the financial situation of the country and the difficulty in monitoring and patrolling vast areas of wilderness.

Street dogs

Bolivia has a diverse geography, with one-third of the country in the Andes mountains, and the remaining lowlands situated in the Amazon basin. The country is home to a wide variety of animals, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. While the country has a constitution that includes the right to a healthy and protected environment for all living beings, there is a crisis of abandoned dogs roaming the streets.

Stray dogs in Bolivia pose a unique set of challenges and opportunities for both the government and citizens. On the one hand, these dogs can be a source of companionship and protection for Bolivians, especially in rural areas. On the other hand, they can also carry diseases and pose a risk of aggressive behaviour, as mentioned in a travel advisory for the country.

The issue of stray dogs in Bolivia is complex and multi-faceted. It is important to consider the cultural, economic, and social factors that contribute to the problem. For example, Bolivia has a rich cultural heritage with a diverse range of indigenous languages and traditions. However, the country also faces economic challenges, with approximately 39% of the population living in poverty. This financial strain may contribute to the difficulty in addressing the issue of stray dogs, as well as the lack of resources for adequate animal control and management.

To address the issue of stray dogs, the Bolivian government has implemented several laws and programmes. For example, "Ley municipal 239, 2017" is a municipal law in La Paz that aims to promote the welfare of companion animals and reduce the overpopulation of strays. The law encourages the sterilisation of dogs and creates a registry for companion animals. Additionally, it establishes specific duties for companion animal owners, such as providing adequate food, water, shelter, and healthcare for their pets. However, the lack of enforcement and resources has hindered the successful implementation of such laws.

In conclusion, the issue of stray dogs in Bolivia is a complex problem that requires a multi-faceted solution. While the country has taken steps towards addressing the issue, more needs to be done to ensure the safety and well-being of both the dogs and the human population. It is important for the government, local communities, and international organisations to work together to find sustainable solutions that take into account the unique cultural, economic, and social context of Bolivia.

Wildlife trade

Bolivia is a landlocked country in central-western South America. It is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, with a diverse geography that includes the Andes mountains, lowlands in the Amazon basin, and one of the world's largest salt flats. Bolivia's rainforests and wetlands are home to over 40% of all animal and plant life on Earth. The country's rich biological diversity, coupled with its high poverty rate, has made the wildlife trade one of the most lucrative illegal businesses in Bolivia.

The wildlife trade in Bolivia involves the trafficking of thousands of wild animals, including primates, felines, and birds, which are often plucked from the jungle. These animals are used for various purposes, such as:

• Skin, tusks, and feathers: For example, jaguars are sought after for their skin, which is used in the fashion industry. Their tusks, claws, and testicles are also valuable on the black market. Even traditional Bolivian dance costumes once used feathers of protected birds, and armadillos were used as musical instruments.
• Pets: Certain species of birds, such as parrots and macaws, as well as monkeys, are often sold as exotic pets.
• Meat: Wild animals like wild pigs and jochis (a type of rodent) are consumed for their meat, particularly in communities that live deep in the jungle.

The illegal wildlife trade in Bolivia has severe consequences for the animals involved, with only about 10% of trafficked animals surviving the journey to their final destination. The trade also has a significant impact on the country's biodiversity and ecosystems.

To combat this issue, Bolivia has implemented several laws and policies. The 2009 Bolivian Constitution includes the right to a healthy and balanced environment for both humans and other living beings. The Constitution also establishes the protection and defense of the environment as a duty of all persons and gives municipal governments the responsibility to contribute to the protection of wildlife and domestic animals. Additionally, hunting and fishing in natural reserves are prohibited and punished with community service and fines. Cruelty to animals and biocide are also considered crimes, punishable by imprisonment, fines, or community work.

Environmental laws

Bolivia is home to an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna, with one-third of the country in the Andes mountains and the remaining lowland plains situated in the Amazon basin. The country's 2009 constitution is the only one in South America that specifically addresses animal protection and the preservation of nature.

The country has also passed several laws to protect the environment and wildlife, such as the "Law of Mother Earth" or "Ley 71", which grants all nature equal rights to humans. This law establishes 11 new rights for nature, including the right to life, the right to continue vital cycles and processes free from human alteration, and the right to not be polluted. It also gives the environment and all its components the status of a collective subject of public interest, guaranteeing the protection of its rights.

However, despite these progressive laws, Bolivia struggles with illegal wildlife trafficking, which is one of the most lucrative illegal businesses in the country due to its biological diversity and the financial situation of the country. The illegal trade in wild animals affects thousands of specimens and generates millions of dollars annually.

To combat this issue, Bolivia has implemented additional laws and measures, such as the Law for the Defense of Animals against Acts of Cruelty and Mistreatment (Ley 700, 2015), which recognises animals as part of "Mother Earth" and grants them protection against cruelty. Ley 300, passed in 2012, provides the legal framework for the conservation of the environment and recognises the rights of Mother Earth. It sets parameters to guarantee a harmonious relationship between societal development and environmental protection through the sustainable use of natural resources.

While these laws provide a strong foundation for environmental protection and wildlife conservation, their effectiveness is often hindered by a lack of meaningful implementation, enforcement methods, and organisms. As a result, Bolivia continues to face challenges in combating illegal wildlife trafficking and ensuring the protection of its diverse flora and fauna.

Poaching

Jaguars are a particularly sought-after species for poachers due to the high value of their body parts on the black market. Teeth, skins, and other body parts are often smuggled out of the country, with China being a major destination. The forests in the San Borja municipality in the northern Beni Department of Bolivia are a hotspot for jaguar poachers.

Parrot poaching is also a significant issue in Bolivia, with the country being a major source of illegally traded parrots in the Neotropics. This trade has exacerbated the decline in parrot populations, with little being known about where, when, and how parrots are poached.

Bolivia's Madidi National Park, home to several hundred jaguars, has seen an increase in poaching due to Chinese investment in the country. Chinese buyers are seeking jaguar teeth and other body parts, which are believed to have cultural and medicinal value. The park's director, Marcos Uzquiano, and his rangers have struggled to combat the poaching due to weak law enforcement and the high prices that poachers can get for jaguar parts.

The Bolivian government has implemented various initiatives to combat poaching, including the Action Plan for the Conservation of the Jaguar (2020-2025) and the inclusion of jaguars in the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). However, conservationists and scientists claim that these efforts are insufficient and disjointed, with political interests often taking precedence over environmental concerns.

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