Since 2011, Cuba has had a list of legally protected species, however, they are being illegally traded through social networks as well as in physical spaces, warned Jorge Alvarez, director of the Office of Regulation and Environmental Safety.

He assured that the relevant authorities are working in a coordinated manner to act and have increased the fines imposed by the ranger corps, with criminal proceedings.

The director regretted that the people responsible for these illegalities have no idea of the environmental damage caused by their actions and the role of these species in the ecosystem.

He explained that the authorization for legal trade also involves science and indicates when the species can be captured, how many, of what sex and size.

‘Humans are increasingly closer to the animals and their health depends on their health and that of the ecosystem,’ he said.

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