Overview
- Serfor issued a public alert ahead of year-end ceremonies over the illegal use of wild animals in “cleansing” and luck rituals, singling out the Andean quirquincho as at particular risk.
- Consolidated data show 10,113 wildlife specimens were intervened nationwide in the past two years, including animals found alive, dead or as parts and derivatives.
- Authorities identified 2,319 seizures at customs, airports, fairs, shops, markets and public roads, which are frequent sites for ritual-related trade and use.
- Serfor reports live quirquinchos are used in southern highland ceremonies, including in Puno and Arequipa, and are kept in deplorable conditions that cause suffering and raise zoonotic disease risks.
- Possessing, using or selling protected fauna carries very serious administrative fines of more than 10 UIT and up to 5,000 UIT and may be prosecuted under Penal Code article 308-C with penalties of up to five years in prison, with reports accepted via WhatsApp at 947 588 269.