Mashco-Piro Tribe Appearance: Peru Reportedly Raids Illegal Logging Site

Advocacy group Survival International reports that Peru has raided an illegal logging site in the Manú National Park, where a previously uncontacted Amazon tribe was spotted two weeks ago.

Members of the Mashco-Piro tribe started to appear on the banks of a busy river and were blamed for bow-and-arrow attacks in the region, the Associated Press reports. According to scientists, their appearance may have been related to the activities of loggers and the appearance of low-flying aircraft in the tribe's territory.

A group of men were arrested in the Peruvian operation, Survival International notes, and police uncovered more than 3,000 feet of harvested timber. The group also reports that a regional indigenous organization is planning to set up guard posts in the tribe's territory to help protect them from intruders.

Carlos Soria, a professor at Lima's Catholic University, told the AP that the Mashco-Piro are one of about 15 "uncontacted" tribes in Peru. Anthropologist Beatriz Huerta told the news service that she suspects the clan's habitat is becoming less isolated and that the change may have contributed to the tribe's move.

"It's very clear that they don't want people there," she said.

Take a look at photos of the tribe released by Survival International in the slideshow below.

Comments

[PRRA2000]

09:17 AM on 02/11/2012

This tale would have been more interesting if the au thor had woven into it a possible connection between the illegal loggers and a rich eee vil American musical instrument manufacturer.

[Ystorm]

11:15 AM on 02/11/2012

what rich evil musical instrument manufacturer?

[PRRA2000]

04:45 PM on 02/11/2012

http://rightwingnews.com/freedom/fed-crackdown-on-gibson-guitar-explained/

[WunderSlash]

12:02 AM on 02/10/2012

For all you advocating leaving these people alone: Would you still feel the same if for example these people practiced genital mutilation of their young girls? If they practiced honour killings of daughters that displeased elders? If they practiced ownership of their wives? If they practiced infanticide of unwanted babies?

Not saying this tribe practices any of these specific thing, but other tribes around the world have and still do practice these traditions (and a lot worse). Do you not think there is some reason in intervening in these situations? Some reason to protect these individuals' human rights above and before the 'right' of the tribe to exist un-contacted?

[Lord Nigel]

01:58 PM on 02/10/2012

Who says we have the right to force our religion and society on these people? Honestly, there are millions of people in the Arab, African, and Asian world that practice these acts such as honor killings. We should not interfere with these people. Live and let live.

[WunderSlash]

05:20 PM on 02/10/2012

Seriously? That is your response? Basically you are saying: “Yes, even in cases where horrible human rights abuses are being carried out the ‘right’ of the culture is more important than the rights of living breathing people.”

You seriously consider that "Live and let live"? I would call that view something more like: Live and let murder/abuse/mutilate/rape/torture.

I am not talking about imposing any religion or society on anyone; I am talking about protecting the individuals in those types of situations – protecting their right to their own lives, choices, bodies.

[PRRA2000]

10:56 AM on 02/11/2012

You forgot abortion, which is also a form of honor killing.

[Maggie K]

12:16 AM on 02/11/2012

I would not feel the same, no. There are different dynamics among communities the world over. I think most of the sentiments expressed here recognize that this is a generally peaceful tribe, and they simply wish to remain on their land without interference. To your point however, you do have to be cautious about imposing western values onto other cultures and belief systems, and about the ways that you intervene. While there are more obvious rights violations (such as honor killings and the like), there are many subtle cultural differences that we truly have no right to impose on others simply because they do not line up with our western thinking..

[WunderSlash]

01:52 PM on 02/11/2012

I am very glad to hear this Maggie K. The other commenters above where really starting to worry me.

[WunderSlash]

07:56 PM on 02/11/2012

The only thing I would have to say regarding your comment Maggie K is that we do not know if this is a peaceful tribe. I believe I read somewhere that an outsider was shot with a blunt arrow as a warning, this would suggest to me that yes indeed they are more peaceful than warlike, but we do not know, it is only an assumption – projected on these people by the Noble Savage Myth. Peaceful does not however, mean they do not have brutal internal practices. We simply do not know if this tribe does or does not practice any of these types of traditions. We do not know.

Does that mean we should rush in there and find out one way or another? I don’t know honestly. I don’t think so. The potential for injury and death for people on both sides would be pretty high – and that is too high a cost.

[clarkkentdlyplnt]

09:07 PM on 02/09/2012

I think it is ridiculous to isolate a people from the progress of the rest of the world just so scientist can have a study group. Pandering to a group of primitives who would kill outsiders to protect a territory is no less than allowing street gangs to control a portion of a city. And these people claim to be anthropologist.

[Steve Lane]

08:15 AM on 02/10/2012

Just because you and I believe in what we call "Progress" it gives us no right to impose ourselves on these people who have lived in these jungles for thousands of years. They are a part of the planet and nature in a way that we no longer are. We do have much to learn from them but simply by contacting them we could destroy them with our deseases for which they have no immunity.
Let them alone. When our civilisation has destroyed itself with nuclear war or "Bird flu" or sudden mass loss of electricity due to solar flares they might be the ones left to start over.

[lawa]

09:05 PM on 02/09/2012

please peru protect your national treasures. dont muck it up like the europeans did to america's 1st nations peoples.

[abandofoutsiders]

05:34 AM on 02/10/2012

The place is a Park and it has been under protection since 1977 I believe.

[lawa]

02:38 PM on 02/10/2012

when do you think the tribal folks was there. you must know they was there first. peru became peru much later than the tribal folks populated that colony of whatever european nation that settled there

[David57]

06:40 PM on 02/09/2012

My partner and I visited that area in Peru (Manu Nat. Park, Tambopata River) in 1978. Yes, a mere 30 + years ago. We stayed at a small lodge on the river, outside of the park. We had little money (um, we don't have much money right now either,,,) so our trip was pretty basic, but got us there.

We flew by small plane into the nearest town, Puerto Maldonado, and then traveled 6 hours in a large canoe to reach the lodge. The accommodations were simple, which was great because we felt that we had a minimal impact on the environment. We spent 3 wonderful days wandering through the Amazon forest with a grad student doing research in the area. The forest was full of wild animals, birds, giant butterflies, and an incredible botanical richness (I'm an amateur botanist).

At that time there were Indians in Puerto Maldonado and living in settlements on the river, but they were obviously from contacted tribes. Over the years I've read about oil exploration in this area, and illegal lumbering, and I shudder to think what may be happening to the people and the forest.

[lawa]

09:30 PM on 02/09/2012

what a difference 30 years can make when capitalism runs amok. i came to hawaii in 1955 embraced the culture and watched with much sadness as the condos and hotels went up. people of hawai'i have tried to stand up against capitalism with few victories. one is the beaches are not privately owned. capt cook was know as the first westernized contact then came the whalers and missionaries none of which improved the lives of hawaiians.

[WunderSlash]

11:14 PM on 02/09/2012

You are a fool. Before western civilization Hawaii was ruled by brute force and incredibly bloody and violent conflicts. In some of the villages it was a executable crime for a common villager to step in the footprint of the chief.

[lawa]

03:03 PM on 02/10/2012

and btw i'll never call anyone a fool for their comments

[jeffrow63]

05:26 PM on 02/09/2012

These people need to be contacted and Christianized now! I am worried about their souls. We need to send over some missionaries get em some clothes and get em saved so they can be like us.

[1dljones]

07:54 PM on 02/09/2012

Oh get a life. I hope that was in jest.

[lawa]

09:16 PM on 02/09/2012

same as the hawaiians never has a group of people been more screwed than native hawaiians. i know you jest missionaries go places to do good and end up doing well

[seanymph007]

01:44 PM on 02/09/2012

It would be great to acquire DNA (from their artifacts and/or the womam in the settlement) to trace their bloodline, to determine their ancestors migratory routes... whether they crossed the Bering Straits Land Bridge or migrated across the Pacific by sea, then migrated down the NA/SA Western coastlines to Peru or kept moving across the ice to become East Coasters from Pennsylvania (Meadowcroft) who then migrated down the East coast of North, Central and South America and into the Amazon basin from the east...

Here's a very interesting interactive presentation (and film lecture on the side) documenting and mapping The Journey of Man out of Africa (via mitochondial DNA and combining archaeological/anthropological findings, climate studies, etc)...

http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/journey/

[lawa]

09:17 PM on 02/09/2012

sean thats been over done.

[Tony NoName]

01:21 PM on 02/09/2012

OMG..... shame! They should be arrested for being naked in public! .....it's unnatural!!! ;-P (sarcasm) .....because I actually think it's not the loggers fault, but rather the money interests who finance them. They knowingly have workers going into these areas, regardless of government protections put in place to keep these natives safe!

[jack2649]

12:59 PM on 02/09/2012

We all know who mans worst enemy is dont we folks ? Thats right MAN !

[seanymph007]

12:39 PM on 02/09/2012

Good, keep intruders out!
But you can't lock them, or keep them from exploring surrounding areas... So what happens when they venture out and commit serious crimes? Will they be held responsible for attacks on outsiders (or thier guardians) who they have approached (one of which has already resulted in [an alleged] murder)?
(Just food for thought)

[subs99]

03:59 PM on 02/09/2012

That is just the same mindset as we need to KILL bear or alligators or mountain lions if they encroach on OUR area. Even though WE are actually destroying their area and encroaching on them!

Is a bear a "MURDERER" if it kills a humanoid that is supposed to be "intelligent" yet has built a house in the woods that bear have lived in for 10,000 years?

What is wrong with humans???

[lawa]

09:34 PM on 02/09/2012

yes subs we wander in to their habitat and become outraged when a mama bear protects her cubs. same here in hawaii with sharks. doesnt anyone ever get it sharks live and dine in the ocean.

[Ystorm]

11:18 AM on 02/11/2012

bears need to eat more kids. ok? there, i said it.

[abandofoutsiders]

05:33 AM on 02/10/2012

The Manu National Park is a huge protected area in the middle of the jungle, it has been from I think 1977. The only human permanent residents are the tribes and they are scattered along the 15,000 Km2 and the Park is also surrounded by a 3000 km2 of a cultural zone that is also protected . As far as I remember this has never happened before.

[Daniella Lucia]

12:05 PM on 02/09/2012

I wish they would just leave those tribes alone and let them live in peace.

[lawa]

09:40 PM on 02/09/2012

daniella i agree but isnt that the natue of mankind. they get grants to open graves, anthropology a heretofore unknow tribe to death. we cant seem to leave things alone, the heavens and the depths of the oceans arent safe.there was a filipine tribe called the tasadai tribe that lived as one with animals but no no cant leave well enough alone. they need iron knives and learn how kill. anoth human experience down the drain.

[Llib Noswad]

12:05 PM on 02/09/2012

Metal cooking pot, T-shirt, really look uncontacted to me.

[NunyaBus99]

02:53 PM on 02/09/2012

Did you read the caption? She was originally contacted in 1970 and no longer living with a tribe, but on a settlement. They might have made contact with her not the tribe itself.

[lawa]

09:19 PM on 02/09/2012

we call settlements reservations

[realitybaby]

12:04 PM on 02/09/2012

seriously - must we DESTROY EVERYTHING?

[lotus321]

05:13 PM on 02/09/2012

Yes. the white man must destroy everything he contacts.

[lawa]

09:20 PM on 02/09/2012

kill the beast to see how he ticked

[dancingbones]

11:55 AM on 02/09/2012

What? They are over-regulating the loggers and causing a loss of jobs in the logging industry--it is clear the Peruvian government is liberal!

[lawa]

09:20 PM on 02/09/2012

friggin 1% ers

[Ystorm]

11:19 AM on 02/11/2012

i suppose you never ever never purchase anything that comes from that region. i suppose you are able to track every piece of wood that goes into everything that you might purchase. if you do that, please let the rest of us know how so we can do that as well. i would gladly not purchase anything from a company that uses wood from those areas, but i don't know who they are. we don't know who they are. do tell.

[abandofoutsiders]

05:24 AM on 02/10/2012

I know you are being sacastic but Ollanta Humala is at the center of the political spectrum, he was in the military, before being elected he was a nationalist and closer ideologically to the left. His first campaign was allegedly financed by Hugo Chavez.

[waggonburner007]

10:43 AM on 02/09/2012

I am very proud that this has happened!! It is time to support all native rights!!

[fd909]

11:12 AM on 02/09/2012

I am with you. I read an article, many years ago, about Brazilian (army) Rangers killing off a tribe so that the area COULD be logged. Don't know if it was true or not, but it was supposed to have happened in the late 50's or early 60's, so it may well have happened.

[Ystorm]

11:20 AM on 02/11/2012

so that means not only native americans but americans that came after them, but before the influx of the illegal hordes.

[looneydoone]

02:46 PM on 02/11/2012

The "illegal hordes" would be the Anglos that first waded ashore at Jamestown in 1608. Indians are indigenous to the Americas.