Brazil has arrested 13 people with links to wild animal trafficking and rescued over 1,000 wild animals in Caruaru, northeastern Brazil, during an operation called "Free Flight," local media reported Friday.
The three-day operation, also the largest wildlife rescue operation in Brazil since 2003, was participated by several government institutions, namely the Environment Ministry, the Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and state police.
In the last three days, police have rescued 1,206 birds of 35 different species, 15 red-footed tortoises, one armadillo and a brocket deer, which is an endangered species.
Of these birds, 300 are native to the Caruaru area and will be released in the nearby Nova Jerusalem Mountains.
Environment Minister Carlos Minc said animal traffickers could earn up to 6 billion reais (3.2 billion U.S. dollars) per year from the illegal trade and 90 percent of the captured animals die during the transport or in captivity.
All the 13 arrested will be charged with participating in illegal wildlife trade, and could face two to five years in prison if convicted, he added.
Source:Xinhua
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