Drug-related deforestation in Central America is threatening migratory birds, research shows

Activities linked to cocaine trafficking pose a threat to two-thirds of Central America's crucial landscapes for 196 forest bird species, including 67 migratory ones. There's a real risk of drug-related deforestation adversely affecting migratory bird populations concentrated in this region during winter.

For many migratory bird species, a large percentage of global populations winter in areas increasingly attractive to traffickers in Central America. This includes endangered species like the golden-cheeked warbler, where 90% of the population winters in these vulnerable landscapes.

The illicit drug trade drives significant forest loss in Central America by cutting down trees for operations like landing strips, roads, farms, and ranches. Narco-deforestation leads to further environmental damage, development, and criminal activities, exacerbating the threats to bird habitats and ecosystems.

Read at Fast Company