One of Brazil’s last uncontacted Indian tribes has been spotted in the far western Amazon jungle near the Peruvian border, the National Indian Foundation says.
The Brazilian government foundation, known as Funai, said the Indians were sighted in an Ethno-Environmental Protected Area along the Envira River in flights over remote Acre state.
Funai said it photographed “strong and healthy” warriors, six huts and a large planted area. But it was not known to which tribe they belonged.
Indians from the uncontacted tribe
“Four distinct isolated peoples exist in this region, whom we have accompanied for 20 years,” Funai expert Jose Carlos Meirelles said. The tribe sighted recently is one of the last not to be contacted by officials.
Funai does not make contact with such tribes and prevents invasions of their land to ensure their autonomy, the foundation says.
Survival International said the Indians were in danger from illegal logging in Peru, which is driving uncontacted tribes over the border and could lead to conflict with the estimated 500 uncontacted Indians now living on the Brazilian side.
There are more than 100 uncontacted tribes worldwide, most of them in Brazil and Peru, the group said.
PA