Poaching in San Juan, as in many parts of the country, is a growing problem that alerts authorities and civilians seeking to protect native wildlife.
For this reason, the provincial Conservation Directorate of the Secretariat of Environment has intensified efforts to combat this criminal activity.
The infraction records for the first quarter exceeded those of the first months in comparison to 2024, as indicated.
The problem of poaching in San Juan
Ezequiel Salomón, Director of Conservation, informed the local site Huarpe that, in the first months of the year, they issued 50 infractions.
Thus, they surpassed the 32 from the same period in 2024. Throughout that year, the number reached 152.
The increase in the number of infractions is due to the persistence of illegal poaching activities in the province. To counteract this situation, the Conservation Directorate intensified controls through operations in various areas.
“We have allocated more environmental agents to other points to increase control and oversight in order to combat poachers,” explained Salomón.
According to official statistics, the departments most affected by poaching activity in 2024 were Sarmiento, 25 de Mayo, and Caucete.
So far in 2025, the main areas of illegal hunting were Albardón and Ullum. The official clarified that the most affected points by hunting are Villicum, Matagusanos, Talacasto, “All the areas along Route 40,” he said.
The most sought-after animals
Regarding the most hunted animals, in the case of San Juan, Salomón explained that over 80% of poaching is related to the illegal capture of birds.
In this case, mainly for commercial purposes. There is also a significant presence of sport hunters, who mainly target guanacos, maras, armadillos, and rheas.
In these cases, interventions usually involve the police, as hunters use weapons and dogs.
Special Easter Operation
According to the official’s statements to the same media outlet, within the framework of Easter, the Conservation Directorate will intensify the fight against poaching.
“We will deploy all personnel from the flora and fauna department, and from protected areas, to distribute them in different points and carry out inspections, especially in those that have had more activity,” he indicated.
Additionally, there will be controls in all protected areas and in the “hotspots” of the province.
What are the dangers of poaching?
Poaching is dangerous because it threatens the survival of animal and plant species, and contributes to the loss of biodiversity, as it is one of the main causes of species extinction, alters the flora and fauna of forests, reduces populations of animals in the wild, and the size of protected areas.
Moreover, it threatens ecosystems by destroying them, altering predation and seed dispersal patterns, while posing a threat to rangers working to protect animals.
Furthermore, poaching is an animal welfare issue, as it is traumatic for the animals. It also negatively affects wildlife tourism destinations and reduces employment opportunities in tourism.
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