Between 2024 and 2025, 4,366 animal and plant specimens were seized by Costa Rican authorities at the country’s main airports and border crossings, highlighting the magnitude of illegal extraction and wildlife trafficking in Costa Rica.

According to data from the Forensic Biology Section of the Department of Sciences at the Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ), the majority of these specimens correspond to reptiles such as boas, amphibians, feline claws and bones, insects, mollusks, corals, plants like orchids, psittacine eggs, and many other species—demonstrating that illegal extraction and trafficking impact a vast diversity of wildlife.

“When we talk about wildlife trafficking, we are not referring solely to live animals. In our analyses, we find an enormous diversity of species and samples that demonstrate the impact this activity has on the country’s biodiversity. The increase in cases shows that this is an ongoing problem requiring both scientific research and greater public awareness,”

For this reason, #WhatYouCarry was launched today—a national campaign seeking to transform how Costa Ricans and visitors understand their relationship with nature. Its core message is simple yet forceful: when a person extracts an element from nature, they are not taking an object; they are taking part of an ecosystem.

Through interventions at airports, audiovisual material, digital content, actions with media outlets and influencers, and immersive experiences, the initiative aims to raise awareness about the environmental consequences of a practice that often occurs out of ignorance.

“Costa Rican biodiversity is an irreplaceable heritage. Each species fulfills a function within an ecosystem, and when it disappears, the impact transcends the individual. This campaign invites people to understand that protecting wildlife is not solely the task of the authorities, but that individuals also share the responsibility to take daily actions toward its conservation and responsible enjoyment,”

The Ecological Impact Behind Each Extraction

Every case represents much more than a seizure or a judicial investigation. Behind each extracted species lies an ecosystem losing part of its balance:

• A seashell stops serving as a shelter for other organisms.
• A plant stops fulfilling its baseline ecological role in the food chain.
• An animal stops dispersing seeds, controlling populations, or maintaining its role within the ecosystem.

When one of these elements disappears, the effects can ripple far beyond the loss of a single individual, impacting the natural balance on which many other species depend.

Although wildlife trafficking has been linked to national and international criminal networks, authorities point out that many of these environmental harms begin with seemingly small decisions:

• Wearing a necklace made with a wild animal’s tooth.
• Removing a plant from the forest.
• Acquiring a wild animal as a pet.
• Purchasing a souvenir made from wild species parts.

When repeated thousands of times, these actions accumulate and ultimately alter entire habitats, diminish species populations, and weaken the ecological balance that distinguishes Costa Rica as one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet. Furthermore, continuous extraction reduces the capacity of ecosystems to recover naturally, damaging environmental services such as biodiversity conservation, soil protection, and the maintenance of natural cycles—making them even more vulnerable to climate change.

Prevention and Environmental Responsibility

From a judicial perspective, authorities emphasize that protecting wildlife requires both law enforcement and a public aware of the impact of its choices.

“Costa Rican legislation protects wildlife because it recognizes its immense environmental value to the country. However, the best tool will always be prevention. An informed society makes better decisions and helps prevent behaviors that harm our natural heritage,”

Airports serve as strategic locations for this initiative, as they are the arrival and departure points for millions of travelers each year. Therefore, the campaign will utilize these spaces to remind visitors that the best memory of Costa Rica should not take up space in a suitcase.

“Juan Santamaría International Airport represents the final point of contact millions of travelers have with Costa Rica before returning home. This position gives us a unique opportunity to promote messages that go beyond airport operations and contribute to protecting what makes our country extraordinary. We want every person to take home photographs, experiences, and unforgettable memories, but for our biodiversity to remain where it belongs: as part of the ecosystems that make it unique,”

Enjoying Costa Rica Responsibly

Beyond reporting environmental crimes, #WhatYouCarry aims to promote a new relationship with nature: understanding that every species, animal, plant, coral, shell, and landscape element serves a purpose that cannot be replaced once removed.

The campaign’s call to action is clear: enjoy Costa Rica’s natural richness without altering what makes it extraordinary.

To do this, travelers are encouraged to:

• Take photographs, stories, and experiences while leaving biodiversity untouched.
• Avoid extracting flora, fauna, or other natural elements.
• Refrain from purchasing wild animals or products made from protected species.
• Choose responsible souvenirs.
• Report any suspicious wildlife trafficking activity to the authorities.

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