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| Uncontacted Mashco Piro Indians have been seen in the area on several occasions © Gabriella Galli/www.uncontactedtribes.org |
Government authorities in Peru have responded to Survival’s call to protect uncontacted Indians who have recently appeared on riverbanks near a popular tourist destination.
The Indians, thought to be from the Mashco-Piro tribe, have been spotted on several occasions by tourists and park rangers in an Amazonian National Park in south-east Peru.
Survival wrote to Sernanp, the government ministry responsible for protected areas, following reports that tourists had left clothes on the riverbanks to entice the Indians out of the forest.
Uncontacted Indians lack immunity to common diseases, which can be spread by items of clothing and particularly by contact with outsiders.
Recently, a park ranger was hit by an arrow with the tip removed as a warning sign from the Indians to stay away.
This week Sernanp wrote to Survival to report on measures taken to protect the tribe, including vaccinating the local population against influenza and alerting local health posts of a possible epidemic.
The river area where the Indians have been appearing has also been declared a restricted zone.
Sernanp said it remains unclear as to why the Indians are appearing in the area.
Illegal logging, which is rife in much of the Peruvian Amazon, has not been ruled out.
Act now to help the Uncontacted Indians of Peru
Your efforts are crucial in defending the Uncontacted Tribes. Get involved in this urgent effort in the following ways.
- Writing a letter to the Peruvian government can make a real difference.
- Donate to the Uncontacted Indians campaign (and other Survival campaigns).
- Write to your MP or MEP (UK) or Senators and members of Congress (US).
- Write to your local Peruvian embassy
- If you want to get more involved, contact Survival…
