Epidemiological and geospatial profile of wildlife illegal trade in the state of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil

Authors

  • Valdir Vieira da Silva Laboratório de Parasitologia e Doenças Parasitárias dos Animais Domésticos, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Viçosa-AL, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3963-4719
  • Larissa Luciano de Oliveira Ferro Laboratório de Parasitologia e Doenças Parasitárias dos Animais Domésticos, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Viçosa-AL, Brasil https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1464-5594
  • Laís Caroline Gomes Ramos Laboratório de Parasitologia e Doenças Parasitárias dos Animais Domésticos, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Viçosa-AL, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2077-3986
  • Ana Cecília Pires de Azevedo Lopes Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres do Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis, Maceió-AL, Brasil https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8557-3896
  • Epitácio Correia de Farias Júnior Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres do Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis, Maceió-AL, Brasil https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0185-6496
  • Jonatas Campos de Almeida Laboratório de Parasitologia e Doenças Parasitárias dos Animais Domésticos, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Viçosa-AL, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2282-4268

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26605/medvet-v19n1-6951

Keywords:

wildlife rescue center, wildlife trafficking, geoprocessing

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological and geospatial profile of mammals, birds, and reptiles rescued from trafficking or illegal situations in the state of Alagoas. A retrospective study was conducted using data from the occurrence registry system of the Alagoas Wildlife Screening Center. For the epidemiological profile of registered wildlife species, the type of occurrence, the destination of animals after rehabilitation, and the degree of extinction risk were considered. QGIS 3.24.3 software was used to carry out the geoprocessing step. During the analyzed period, 3,278 wild mammals were rescued, with Bradypus variegatus being the most notable. Regarding the origin of the animals, 50.43% (1,653) of cases were rescues, and regarding the destination of the animals, 43.44% (1,424) of situations ended in release. Nine species were classified as having worrying degrees of extinction. As for wild birds, 12,056 animals were received, with Sporophila nigricollis being the most notable. Regarding the origin of the animals, 43.65% (5,263) of cases were rescues, and regarding the destination of the animals, 47.68% (5,748) resulted in release. Only Amazona aestiva was classified as near threatened During the analyzed period, 1,494 wild reptiles were rescued, with Chelonoidis carbonaria being the most notable. Regarding the origin of the animals, 35.54% (531) of cases were rescues, and regarding the destination of the animals, 79.12% (1,182) ended in release. Only Chelonia mydas and Chelonoidis carbonaria were classified as vulnerable. Geoprocessing highlighted the importance of BR-101 highway for illegal animal trafficking activities. The data indicate that wildlife trafficking in Alagoas creates conditions for the emergence and spread of zoonoses. The role of federal highways in wildlife trafficking is evident, necessitating the expansion of enforcement actions in critical regions, coupled with popular education.

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Published

2025-04-30

How to Cite

Silva, V. V. da, Ferro, L. L. de O., Ramos, L. C. G., Lopes, A. C. P. de A., Farias Júnior, E. C. de, & Almeida, J. C. de. (2025). Epidemiological and geospatial profile of wildlife illegal trade in the state of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil. Medicina Veterinária, 19(1), 84–94. https://doi.org/10.26605/medvet-v19n1-6951

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2025): Medicina Veterinária

Section

Veterinary Preventive Medicine

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Valdir Vieira da Silva, Larissa Luciano de Oliveira Ferro, Laís Caroline Gomes Ramos, Ana Cecília Pires de Azevedo Lopes, Epitácio Correia de Farias Júnior, Jonatas Campos de Almeida

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