Panama’s Wildlife Trafficking Crisis Exposed Through Government Clinic’s Struggles

In the heart of Panama’s lush Parque Nacional Camino de Cruces, a government-run veterinary clinic fights a losing battle against the scourge of illegal wildlife trafficking. Here, undernourished and disoriented wild animals arrive daily, victims not only of cruelty but also of an ineffective enforcement regime that allows this illicit trade to flourish. How Is Panama Letting Wildlife Crime Persist—and Why Should Americans Care? The clinic, staffed by dedicated doctors and biologists, has treated over 750 trafficked animals since its opening in February—each one a silent testament to failures spanning borders. From parrots kept as pets for generations to wild...