The attack is believed to have taken place in July this year.
The Mashco Piro tribe of Peru recently used bows and arrows to attack loggers suspected of trespassing on their territory in the Amazon. According to CBS NewsRegional indigenous organization FENAMAD reported Monday that suspected illegal logging was taking place in Mashco Piro territory and that one logger was injured in the July 27 attack.
This comes weeks after photos emerged of the uncontacted tribe foraging for food on a beach in the Peruvian Amazon, with experts saying the images showed logging concessions were “perilously close” to their territory. Survival International, an indigenous peoples’ advocacy group that closely monitors the Mashco Piro’s plight, said photos and videos showed about 53 male Mashco Piro on the beach. The group estimated there were between 100 and 150 tribe members in the area, with women and children nearby.
“It is likely illegal because the area where the incident occurred is a forestry concession that belonged to Wood Tropical Forest until November 2022, and we are not aware of any concession that has requested or been granted consent rights in the same area,” a FENAMAD representative, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern for his personal safety, said. CBS News.
The organization further stated that the lack of protective measures by the Peruvian government and the increased activity of companies and illegal operators in the Mascho Piro area could have “devastating consequences”, such as the transmission of diseases and increased violence.
Notably, in 2022, two loggers were shot with arrows while fishing in the area. There have also been several other previous reports of conflict, the outlet reported.
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According to FENAMAD, increased logging activity in the area is likely causing the tribe to abandon their traditional lands. They believe the Mashco Piro are moving closer to settlements in search of food and safer refuge.
Separately, Survival International said it is pressuring the Peruvian government to move deeper into these areas of the Amazon to bring the situation under control. “This is a permanent emergency. We have been seeing the Mascho Piro every two weeks for the past month at different points, and in every case they are surrounded by loggers,” Teresa Mayo, a researcher with Survival International, told CBS News.
“It really is a matter of life and death. And only the government can and has the duty to stop this,” Ms Mayo said.
