Uncontacted tribe photographed near Brazil-Peru border
Last updated 31/05/2008 10:58:14
© Gleison Miranda/FUNAI
Members of one of the world's last uncontacted tribeshave been spotted and photographed from the air near the Brazil-Peruborder.
The photos were taken during several flights over one of theremotest parts of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil's Acre state. ‘We did the overflight to show their houses, to show they are there, toshow they exist,' said uncontacted tribes expert José Carlos dos ReisMeirelles Júnior.
Meirelles works for FUNAI,the Brazilian government's Indian affairs department. ‘This is veryimportant because there are some who doubt their existence.' Meirelles says that the group's numbers are increasing.
But otheruncontacted groups in the region, whose homes have been photographedfrom the air, are in severe danger from illegal logging in Peru.Logging is driving uncontacted tribes over the border and could lead toconflict with the estimated five hundred uncontacted Indians alreadyliving on the Brazilian side.
‘What is happening in this region [of Peru] is a monumental crimeagainst the natural world, the tribes, the fauna and is furthertestimony to the complete irrationality with which we, the ‘civilised'ones, treat the world,' said Meirelles.
There are more than one hundred uncontacted tribes worldwide, with morethan half living in either Brazil or Peru. All are in grave danger ofbeing forced off their land, killed and decimated by new diseases.Survival has launched an urgent campaign to get their land protected,and a unique film narrated by actress Julie Christie.Survival's director Stephen Corry said today, ‘These pictures arefurther evidence that uncontacted tribes really do exist.
The worldneeds to wake up to this, and ensure that their territory is protectedin accordance with international law. Otherwise, they will soon be madeextinct.
'For further information please contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org