WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING IN THE AMAZON: ENFORCEMENT CHALLENGES, IMPACTS ON WILDLIFE, AND LEGAL PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Wildlife trafficking is one of the most profitable illicit activities worldwide, and in Brazil it finds fertile ground due to the country’s vast biodiversity and the structural weaknesses of the enforcement system. In the Amazon region, this practice has reached alarming proportions, threatening native species, disrupting ecosystems, and generating significant legal, economic, and social impacts. This study aims to analyze wildlife trafficking in the Amazon under Brazilian legal frameworks, identifying the main difficulties faced by enforcement agencies, the consequences for fauna, and possible legal and institutional solutions to address the problem. The research adopts a bibliographic methodology, with a qualitative focus and a deductive approach, drawing on legal doctrine, scientific articles, environmental legislation, and judicial decisions. The findings reveal that, although environmental legislation such as Law No. 9,605/98 and Law No. 5,197/67 establishes relevant sanctions, their practical application has proven insufficient due to limited resources, lack of integration between public agencies, and the low effectiveness of penalties applied. The study also highlights the connection between wildlife trafficking and organized crime, as well as the use of new means of commercialization, such as social media.