Local police detained a poacher in Río Negro in a rural area near Dina Huapi, a neighboring town of Bariloche. The incident occurred in the La Fragua area, where residents reported hearing gunshots on private property.
He had butchered three deer and had over 350 kilos of meat in his truck, as detailed by the authorities.
The operation took place last Wednesday with the participation of the Rural Brigade, personnel from Police Station 36, and the 169th detachment of Villa Llanquín.
Poacher in Río Negro: weapons and illegal hunting tools found
A poacher was captured in Río Negro. (Photo: Río Negro Police).
During the procedure, the agents intercepted a Ford Ranger truck driven by a single occupant. In the cargo bed, they found three butchered deer, with a total weight exceeding 350 kilos of meat, according to official sources.
With the corresponding judicial authorization, the authorities searched the vehicle’s interior. There, they seized a rifle, bullets, and knives that would have been used to attack the animals. Both the weapons and the confiscated meat were placed under the authorities’ custody.
The suspect was taken to Dina Huapi for identification and the start of judicial proceedings.
Poaching: current offenses and penalties
The detained individual is accused of the crimes of illegal firearm possession, home invasion, and violation of provincial and national regulations for the conservation of wildlife.
In this regard, it should be noted that current Argentine legislation establishes that illegal hunting can lead to severe penalties:
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High-value fines.
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Suspension or cancellation of hunting licenses.
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Confiscation of hunted pieces and weapons used.
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Even prison sentences, depending on the severity of the act and the regulations in force in each jurisdiction.
This case adds to the numerous episodes of poaching in Patagonia, a practice that seriously threatens the biodiversity and the balance of the region’s natural ecosystems.
A scourge that alerts authorities: the case of Jujuy
Poaching of vicuñas in Jujuy has increased and raises concerns. It represents a serious threat to the wildlife of the province, prompting authorities to implement new measures.
Concerns grow over poaching of vicuñas in Jujuy as measures are reinforced.
Malvina Quintana, Director of Biodiversity and Protected Areas of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, warned about the situation.
Among the most affected species, in addition to the vicuñas, are the collared peccaries (vulnerable), the Chacoan peccary (endangered), the small deer, and the tapirs, both classified as vulnerable.
In the Jujuy Puna region, the most critical issue is the illegal hunting of vicuñas, animals protected by national and provincial laws.
