Lia Valero

This project has been published in Earth Journalism Network (EJN) in English and at MUTANTE.ORG in Spanish.

Wildlife trafficking, a shadowy trade that fuels illegal profits, has cast a dark shadow over the Amazonian rainforest. But a transformation appears to be underway and a glimmer of hope shines.

Meet Ángela Maldonado, a fearless environmentalist, primatologist, Ph.D. in Conservation, and recipient of the Whitley Gold Award, along with two indigenous communities on the Colombia-Peru border. From the depths of the jungle, they're making a stand against wildlife hunting, opting for a path of conservation tourism. By choosing sustainable tourism over illegal activities, they´re safeguarding the Amazon's heartbeat – the primates.

 

This story is crucial as it sheds light on the urgent need to address wildlife trafficking— an illicit trade ranked among the world's most profitable. It is a story of resilience, and environmental justice —a tale that will inspire and inform the hearts and minds of the readers of this website.