Brasília, 10/29/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Dener Giovanini, a Brazilian who founded and directs the NGO, Network for Combat against Wild Animal Traffic (Rede Nacional de Combate ao Tráfico de Animais Silvestres) (Renctas), will receive US$100,000 from the United Nations for developing projects in education, environmental research and conservation of endangered species. Renctas works together with government inspection and control agencies in combating wildlife traffic and fields some 900 volunteers around the country mainly in the areas of biology and animal husbandry who promote courses on environmental awareness.

It is estimated that in Brazil around half of all captured wildlife is illegally exported abroad, mainly to Europe, North America and Asia. The most popular animals are birds, such as parrots (all kinds), tucanos and canaries.

According to Giovanini, poor, needy people find capturing wildlife a way to make easy money. It is often their only income.

Giovanini says that the UN prize money will be used expand Renctas' work. "One of the reasons we got the prize was our innovative approach to the problem, unifying government action at all levels with activities in the private sector. It is only by uniting the private sector and the government that Brazil will manage to resolve its social and economic problems," he declared.

Giovanini is the second Brazilian to win the prize; the other was the rubber tapper and environment activist, Chico Mendes, who was murdered in 1988 by landowners. (AB)