The Undersecretariat of Agrarian Affairs of La Pampa notified dozens of offenders for violations of the Law No. 1194 on Wildlife Conservation, imposing fines that in the most severe cases exceed $2.2 million. The most frequent offenses were hunting without a permit, the irregular transportation of packs, and poaching, in addition to temporary disqualifications from engaging in activities related to wildlife.
The sanctions were made official in the latest Official Gazette, and among the most notable cases are:
- Matías Germán Galarraga, Marcelo Torres, and Lucas Ezequiel Fernández (repeat offender): $2,260,000 each, with disqualification until December 2026.
- Víctor Omar Acuña, Estefanía Ivana Olguín, Omar Nazareno Giménez, and Alejandro Sebastián Álvarez: $2,260,000 jointly, for adult responsibility in offenses committed by minors.
- Other sanctioned individuals received fines ranging from $1.5 million to smaller amounts of $20,000, depending on the severity of the offense.
The sanction system
Penalties are applied based on the article 70 of the regulatory decree of Law 1194, which uses the “fine days” system. Each day is equivalent to the value of 20 liters of diesel, allowing the amounts to be automatically updated.
- Minor offenses: 1 to 20 fine days.
- Serious: 21 to 100 fine days.
- Very serious: 101 to 500 fine days.
The sanctioned individuals have 10 business days to pay the fines by depositing into the General Revenue account and, in some cases, must establish a legal domicile in Santa Rosa to continue the administrative process.
Environmental and social issues
Illegal hunting in La Pampa is a growing issue, linked to both rural security and environmental impact:
- Impact on wildlife: overexploitation threatens ecosystem balance. Antlers, skins, and exotic stuffed species, including felines, have been seized.
- Wildlife trafficking: poaching is often associated with illegal animal trade networks.
- Police action: the Police of La Pampa, through Rural Security, conducts operations and raids in areas like El Durazno and Victorica, seizing weapons and trophies.
- Legal consequences: offenders are often notified while free but remain linked to judicial cases for illegal possession of weapons and environmental crimes.
Importance of conservation
The application of sanctions aims to curb an activity that directly threatens the biodiversity of La Pampa. Wildlife protection is essential for:
- Maintaining ecological balance and ecosystem services.
- Preventing the extinction of native species.
- Promoting nature tourism and sustainable development.
- Strengthening rural security against illegal practices.
The million-dollar fines in La Pampa reflect the determination of the provincial government to combat poaching and illegal fishing.
Beyond economic sanctions, the measure seeks to raise awareness about the importance of respecting wildlife and ensuring that rural activities are conducted within a framework of legality and sustainability.
