MANAUS, BRAZIL — A joint environmental enforcement operation rescued 176 turtles that had been illegally kept in captivity in the Cuniuá River, a tributary of the Purus River, in Brazil’s Amazonas state. The operation, carried out Tuesday (Aug. 18), also resulted in the interception of two boats and fines for offenders.

The operation is part of Operation Gaspar, launched in late July along the Purus River basin, with the participation of inspectors from Brazil’s Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples (Funai) and military police officers.

In addition to the turtles, agents found 236 eggs belonging to river turtles and yellow-spotted Amazon river turtles on beaches in the area. The eggs were reburied in suitable locations to ensure successful hatching. The operation also seized 120 kilograms of pirarucu and fishing nets used to illegally capture the animals.

The operation aims to curb predatory hunting and fishing, which threaten Amazonian wildlife and directly affect the way of life of traditional communities.

“Our goal here is to try to protect the environment through this joint effort and partnership, and truly benefit the traditional communities, which are the Indigenous peoples living along the Purus River,” said Walmir Nogueira, an Ibama agent.

Amazon Agency