Many Costa Rica wildlife groups are not thrilled with the proposed new regulations regarding wildlife. In theory, regulations regarding wildlife should enhance and protect the environment and creatures within it. However, these wildlife groups are arguing that these new proposed regulations are doing just the opposite.

Why Are Costa Rica Wildlife Groups Angry With New Regulations?

Costa Rica Wildlife groups are holding nothing back as they state their opinions on the government’s new proposed wildlife regulation. TicoTimes shared some of the details of their complaints. The outlet shared that the environmental organizations argue that “the draft weakens protections, lacks clear scientific support, and moves forward without new funding for the National System of Conservation Act (SINAC).”

All of those seem like valid reasons to push back against a new regulation. Instead, the wildlife organization argues that “wildlife management in Costa Rica should be grounded in science and focused on conservation rather than greater flexibility for commercial use.” So, how does it weaken protection or lack scientific support?

First, the consultation period for this new regulation lasted only 10 days. Conservationists argued that this time period was “too short for a technical measure dealing with wildlife conservation and management.” Additionally, some of the provisions were startling. For example, one of the main concerns for the Costa Rica wildlife groups was that this provision would have allowed “possession of five wild parrot species and hybrid macaws.”

Naturally, no one working in conservation or wildlife was in support of that. They argued against its clear legal issues and issues regarding environmental impact. After multiple discussions, they removed the captivity option for the five bird species. However, “kept the provision for hybrid macaws.”

More Issues With The New Regulation

Another point in question was that “a proposed new management category would combine rescue centers with non-commercial zoos.” Wildlife organizations argued that “public record does not show the scientific criteria behind the measure.”

In addition, Costa Rica’s wildlife groups found an issue with funding. They argued that this new proposed regulation “does not include additional technical, technological, financial, budgetary, or human resources for SINAC.” This is a major issue considering that other reports show that “SINAC’s budget had been cut by over 40 percent over the last five years.”

With those budget cuts comes reduced control and monitoring. Therefore, any new propoed regulation should instead strengthen conservation and give back to the organizations trying to asssit wildlife. So with aspects not backed by science, shortened discussion times, acts that go against conservation and wildlife, and no funding, it is no wonder that Costa Rica’s wildlife groups are up in arms.

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