April 30, 2003
The Battle of El Peru

On my trip to Flores, Guatemala, 3 weeks ago I finally met Roan McNab, who is working to protect the jungles of the Peten and the wildlife there. He sent Chris Shaw a dispatch on the current threats to the Maya Biosphere Reserve in the area of the El Peru archaeological site. As he writes, it is a triple threat: scarlet macaw poachers (Guaceros), invaders with guns, and fire.

(full text below - click MORE)

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Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2003 7:45 AM
Subject: The battle of El Peru


The story of how biologists held the front line against the advancing barbarians at
the Archaeological site of Wa'ka.

The saga continues.

Jeremy, Rony emerged yesterday. Fires stalled just outside macaw nesting areas. Success there. But they rage still near the Biological station, and near Paso Caballos, many areas are burning hot.

Yesterday a SEPRONA agent was shot, may lose arm, medivaced to Guatemala for operation. That event yielded the capture of two of the amred men in that group, and they carried macaw chicks. Rumor is three. Up to seven armed guys in one group seen shortly before that. Three in another group.

All WCS field personel remain in the site on a voluntary basis. Fighting fires, and guiding all police in the area who do no know the trails. Soon there will be sweeps through the zone, hopefully today.

Calls all day yesterday to get embassy on board. Main reason was to squeeze Gua military to act. Now seem to be. Also, anti-narc police now go in, with Gua military. Many areas just 3-4 km NW of El Peru are cleared but not yet burned.

Triple threat: Guaceros, invaders with guns, and fire.

Our hope is to hold the line at the Rio San Pedro. Lighthawk has been key flying
over this all, spotting invaders camps, trails, fires, narc plane in the vicinity, crashed.

I to El Peru now with conap and the mil. Maybe back tomorrow.

How will presence be maintained? Either that, or we write off El Peru and LdT entirely....for the barbarians.

RBM

Posted by Dave at April 30, 2003 12:17 PM