The San Juan Conservation Area raised the alarm about the growing concern over illegal hunting of birds and other animals in the province. In this regard, Mario Santori, the area manager, pointed out that the benteveo is one of the species most affected by this practice. “There is an illegal market where people use traps to hunt and commercialize these animals,” Santori explained to a local media outlet.
According to experts, this phenomenon not only endangers the local fauna, but it has also become a lucrative business, with the value of the animal varying depending on whether it is male or female.
In addition to the benteveo, the area manager mentioned that other species, such as the diuca, armadillos, maras, and guanacos, are also under strong hunting pressure. On the other hand, the case of guanacos is special, as their hunting is mainly for consumption, although Santori clarified that it is not a necessity, but rather individuals who kill the animals using 4×4 vehicles.
Despite the existence of some farms dedicated to animal breeding, the area manager emphasized that these are not intended for breeding for commercial purposes. Due to this situation, the authorities in San Juan decided to place hunting controls throughout the province, with a special focus on areas such as Bermejo, the upper zone of Ullum, La Difunta Teresa, and 25 de Mayo, where the presence of personnel has been reinforced.
Benteveo
An achievement for the municipality
Among the most recent achievements of the province is the rescue of 132 birds and 123 animals, as well as the seizure of 16,790 kilos of firewood from native forests, and 115 infringement notices for offenses against wildlife and flora. According to Santori, the balance of the actions so far is positive, with expectations of increasing the number of violations next year.
“The path is the right one, and we trust that this year we will surpass the figures reached in 2023,” said the manager. He also highlighted the importance of changing the culture of bird hunting, pointing out that infringements are key to preventing the destruction of native fauna.
The benteveo is threatened by illegal hunting. Photo: Wikipedia.
Increasingly committed to the preservation of the benteveo
On the other hand, Santori recalled that when he took office, the lack of resources was evident: “At first, we had few vehicles and equipment. Over time, we have managed to improve the resources available to the staff.” This year, 115 infringement notices have already been issued, surpassing the 80 recorded in 2023, and an increase is expected in the coming months.
The conservation work also includes joint investigations with the San Juan Police and Gendarmerie, with whom they share information to identify and capture illegal hunters. “We are working in a coordinated manner to protect our wildlife,” Santori concluded.
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