Assessment of the Impact of Environmental Education on the Prevention of Wildlife Trafficking in Cochabamba.

Abstract

Introduction. Bolivia is a megadiverse country, but it faces a serious threat from wildlife trafficking. Despite legal efforts, this activity persists due to the demand for exotic wildlife, especially driven by children asking for wild animals as pets. Objective: The study evaluates the effectiveness of an environmental education program from the Center for Attention and Referral (CAD) in Cochabamba to reduce wildlife trafficking by changing children's perceptions about owning these species as pets. Methods: A mixed approach with an analytical-descriptive design was used. Surveys were conducted before and after educational talks in 15 schools in Cochabamba. The data were analyzed using statistical tests such as Chi-square to assess the impact on students' knowledge and attitudes. Results: The educational talks showed a significant change in students' attitudes. There was an increase in knowledge about zoonoses, the diet of wild animals, and their ecological importance. Additionally, many children changed their minds and no longer wanted to have these animals as pets. Discussion-Conclusions: The educational program had a positive impact on students' ecological awareness, although there was a need to improve certain topics, such as the diet of wild animals. The results support the effectiveness of environmental education in preventing wildlife trafficking.