In Puerto Jimenez near Golfito this weekend, an alleged poacher traveling in a quadracyle all-terrain vehicle (ATV) was stopped by Fuerza Publica officers on route 245. The driver of the ATV was clumsily attempting to conceal two tepezcuintles (pacas) in plastic shopping bags. The two wild Cuniculus paca specimens were killed by a firearm, which the officers found stored in a rear compartment of the ATV. The handgun, a 22-caliber revolver with six rounds, and the tepezcuintles were taken as evidence against the suspected poacher.

Officials from the Osa Conservation Area, who represent the interests of the Ministry of the Environment (MINAE) in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica, were notified by Fuerza Publica of the findings.

Park rangers confiscated the ATV at the behest of the local environmental prosecutor from Golfito, who is pressing charges stemming from violations to our country’s Wildlife Conservation Law. Tepezcuintles are far from being endangered, but their hunt is regulated. Some traditional indigenous recipes call for the meat of tepezcuintles as the main ingredient.

Also this weekend: Fuerza Publica officers assigned to border security in the Northern Zone intercepted two would-be traffickers of exotic birds. Private security officers guarding the interests of the Del Oro fruit juice company in La Cruz alerted the authorities of suspicious activity observed in the area, specifically two individuals in a vehicle with parrots flying inside.

According to digital newspaper TicoVision, Fuerza Publica dispatched officers to the area and confirmed that two men were carrying two Amazona autumnalis babies in their vehicle. These beautiful red-lored green parrots are very smart, social and enjoy longevity -factors that make them ideal as pets and are thus targeted by traffickers of exotic birds.

Officials from the Guanacaste Conservation Area confiscated the birds for relocation to their habitats and notified local prosecutors of the illegal possession by the suspects -a misdemeanor offense.

Source: Fuerza Publica de Costa Rica