The Facts: In Bolivia, there are black markets full of wild animals being sold to hotels, private homes and Circuses. These animals are usually obtained by hunting down the parents or group leaders and then taking the babies to be sold in the black markets. In many cases the animals are endangered species. The captured animals are usually kept in small cages, with little or no protection from the elements. Many are malnourished and some badly abused.
Inti Wara Yassi’s principle areas of activity are:
- running a scheme whereby injured, maltreated, seized or surrendered tropical animals are rehabilitated by Bolivian and international volunteers, with the aim of release in toParque MachÃa (organisation headquarters,) Parque Ambue Ari or our newest park Jacj Cuisi;
- working with the young people of Bolivia raising awareness of the need to protect the environment;
- running a nationwide ecological awareness school;
- raising awareness of the cruelty of the tropical pet trade;
- building links with the indigenous peoples of Bolivia, with a view to increasing their income to reduce the pressure on their lands and traditions
