The Country of Colombia

Colombia is a country located in the northwestern part of South America, with coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.¹ It is the fourth-largest country in South America by area and the third-most populous. The capital and largest city is Bogotá.² Colombia is a diverse nation with a rich cultural heritage that blends indigenous, Spanish, and African influences.³ The country’s geography is highly varied, encompassing the Andean mountains, the Amazon rainforest, vast grasslands known as the Llanos, and coastal regions.⁴ Colombia has a developing, upper-middle-income economy that is the third-largest in South America.⁵

Wildlife of Colombia

Colombia is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, ranking second only to Brazil in overall biodiversity.⁶ It has the highest number of bird species in the world and a vast number of amphibian and mammal species.⁷

• Mammals: Colombia is home to the jaguar, giant anteater, tapir, and a variety of monkey species. The rare spectacled bear (also known as the Andean bear) is a notable resident of the Andean forests. The pink river dolphin can be found in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins.
• Birds: The Andean condor, one of the largest flying birds in the world, is the national animal.⁸ The country is a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 1,900 species, including numerous hummingbirds and toucans.⁹
• Reptiles and Amphibians: Colombia has a huge diversity of reptiles and amphibians, including various species of caimans, anacondas, and the brightly colored but highly venomous golden poison dart frog.¹⁰

Much of Colombia’s wildlife is protected within a network of national parks and nature reserves, including Amacayacu National Park in the Amazon and the Cocuy National Park in the Andes.¹¹

Hunting in Colombia

Hunting in Colombia is highly restricted, and recreational or sport hunting is illegal.¹² In 2019, Colombia’s Constitutional Court banned recreational hunting, stating that it was unconstitutional and violated the government’s obligation to protect the environment and animals.¹³ The court’s decision was based on the premise that animals are not things, but sentient beings, and that killing them for recreation is not constitutionally permissible.¹⁴

The only exceptions to the ban are:

• Subsistence hunting by indigenous and rural communities for their own consumption, not for commercial trade.¹⁵
• Hunting for scientific purposes with a special license.
• Hunting for population control of invasive species, such as wild boar.

Illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking, however, remain significant problems in some regions, with authorities working to combat these environmental crimes.¹⁶ The penalties for illegal hunting can include fines and imprisonment.