Mexico Seizes 482 Protected Plants and Animals in Seven-State Wildlife Trafficking Sweep

Villahermosa, Tabasco — Mexico’s environmental enforcement agency has seized 482 protected plants and animals in a coordinated operation across seven states targeting illegal wildlife trafficking.

The Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) announced the results of its second operation against wildlife trafficking in Chiapas, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Yucatán, Campeche, Veracruz and Tabasco. In Tabasco alone, authorities confiscated 53 turtles and parrots.

During the operation, inspectors checked 119 vehicles and seized psittacines (parrots, parakeets and macaws), turtles, two spider monkeys, an ocelot, a jaguar, and various protected wild plant species including orchids, bromeliads and cacti.

Profepa said it strengthened inspection and surveillance operations in the region because the breeding season for wild species — especially birds, reptiles, mammals and psittacines — sees a spike in illegal extraction and transport to clandestine markets.