Dominican Republic bans wildlife hunting

María Maeda

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - On 4 March the Dominican Republic's Environment Minister Jaime David Fernández Mirabal, banned all actions leading to or involving the capture, death, persecution, mutilation or trapping of wild birds and mammals in the country. El Nuevo Diario also reported that collecting eggs, nests and other specimens was also forbidden.

The decree stressed that changing and disappearing wildlife habitats, in addition to persistent hunting, were the main causes of the dwindling numbers in native species. According to EFE, the document blamed these factors for endangering native fauna, and consequently upsetting the ecological balance in the Dominican Republic.

The bill established that "wild animals may only be captured for research purposes, in projects duly approved by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARENA)".

According to  Diario Digital, Dominican authorities presented the resolution during a press conference intended to raise public awareness about preserving the environment. At the event they also presented a calendar with images from various national parks and scientific and ecological reserves.

The calendar, titled "The Country we Want", aims to show the wide range of biodiversity in the country and the great beauty of protected areas. It shows a map with the 73 areas of the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP), in addition to panoramic and aerial views of three national parks. An accompanying education campaign will focus on protecting forests and preventing indiscriminate burning.

Source: http://infosurhoy.com

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