Article link: https://news.mongabay.com/2020/11/crimefighting-ngo-tracks-brazil-wildlife-trade-on-whatsapp-and-facebook/
In Alter do Chao, a Brazilian town located along the stretch of the Amazon River and is home to a great diversity of wildlife. Just to the west is another city called of Santarém, which draws foreign tourists, but also illegal loggers and poachers. Santarém is also home to one of the most innovative non- profit organizations fighting animal trafficking in Brazil. The National Combating Wild Animal Trafficking (RENCTAS) was founded in 1999, and ever since then has won many awards for their innovative approaches to tracking the illegal wildlife trade globally, but especially in the Brazilian Amazon. The group uses the internet, specifically social media, to track the sales and movement of animals out of Brazil, and then turn this data over to law enforcement for action. Over time, RENCTAS has noticed an increase in the use of social networks, such as Whatsapp and Facebook, by wildlife traffickers. However, RENCTAS is running out of funding and is struggling trying to continue conducting research to give authorities.
In my opinion, RENCTAS should seek funding from the government of Brazil, which has an important stake in curbing wildlife trafficking. What many people do not realize is that without this organization there could possibly be another global pandemic. The illegal animal trading can spread dangerous zoological diseases, which has global implications if animals are shipped out of Brazil. Due to the potential glocal health implications, I think it makes sense for more international organizations and other governments to assist with funding organizations like RENCTAS. Another solution for funding is to solicit support from academic institutions invested in the study of these animals. Another possible solution might be to use the data they have collected to determine which areas of the world are having the most animals trafficked, and can try to put out more information (flyers, online ads, commercials, etc.), to make people more informed and possibly willing to donate money. I personally believe the organization should accept volunteers to make it cost friendly as possible.
This article include several aspects in class that we have covered, one being that RENTAS is a service NGO. A service NGO implements the provision of health, family planning or education services. The main difference is it receives no funding from any government sources. In addition, this article affects every level of analysis. At an individual level you you have RENCTAS not being able to support funding. At a domestic/ state level you have Brazil being a hotspot for animal trafficking. Then, at a interstate/ regional level you have the South American continent predominantly suffering with this issue due to all the exotic wildlife. Finally, at a global level you have the risk of another global health crisis to arise, stemming from the illegal wildlife trade.