The ruling against poaching is a decision celebrated by the National Parks Administration, the Federal Court No. 1 of Formosa ruled today the indictment of a man accused of hunting a jaguar, setting a new precedent in the fight for the protection of this critically endangered species.
The case originated from a video that the accused himself posted on social media, where he was seen chasing and hunting a male jaguar (Panthera onca) with other people. According to the investigation, the incident would have occurred on December 19, 2022, near the city of Clorinda.
The judicial resolution and the evidence collectedIn its ruling, the court considered the accused as “author responsible for the crime of hunting wild animals whose capture is prohibited, aggravated by the participation of three or more people”, a crime provided and punished by article 25 of Law 22,421.
The evidence supporting the case is compelling. During a raid carried out in February of this year at the accused’s residence, the Argentine Federal Police seized an arsenal of items of evidentiary interest, including:
- Several firearms.
- Telescopic and laser sights.
- Ammunition of different calibers and spent cartridges.
- Electronic devices.
- A puma skin.
A milestone that adds to a historical precedent
This ruling adds to another conviction against poaching, handed down on August 15 by the same Court, where three men received two years of effective imprisonment and a fourth received a two-year suspended sentence for similar crimes. Both cases are considered historical jurisprudential milestones in the fight against poaching in Argentina.
Protecting an emblematic species from poaching
The jaguar is critically endangered in our country. Its protection is covered by the National Law for the Conservation of Wildlife No. 22,421 and was declared a National Natural Monument in 2001 by Law No. 25,463.
Furthermore, the species enjoys maximum international protection in Appendix I of the CITES Convention and is the subject of the Binational Conservation Strategy between Argentina and Brazil.
From the National Parks Administration, this judicial progress against poaching is celebrated, not only punishing an illegal act but also reaffirming the collective responsibility to protect this emblematic feline of the Gran Chaco, the Paraná Forest, and the Yungas.
The jaguar is a symbol of our biodiversity, and its loss is not an isolated harm: it directly affects the balance and health of ecosystems, as well as the natural and cultural heritage of the entire nation. Protecting it is protecting the future and ensuring a legacy for future generations.
