He National Forest and Wildlife Service warned about the persistence of the illegal use of wild animals in “cleansing” and good luck rituals during the end of the year celebrations. The Andean quirquincho, categorized as endangered, appears as one of the most used in ceremonies that are recorded mainly in the south of the country.
According to the Serfor report, in the last two years, 10,113 specimens of wildlife were intervened throughout the country, found alive, dead or as parts and derivatives. Of the total, 2,319 were found in customs, airports, fairs, markets and public roads, places where the use of fauna for ritual purposes is concentrated.
In the province of San Román, Puno, the use of live quirquincho was identified during fairs in areas such as Pojracasi Hill. In Arequipa, the species is passed around people, live or taxidermised, as part of “cleansing” ceremonies to eliminate bad energy.
Abuse and health risk
Víctor Vargas, a Serfor specialist, denounced that the animals “are kept in deplorable conditions, hidden in buckets, boxes or purses, without water or food, which generates extreme stress, suffering and risk of death.” He also warned that its constant handling increases the risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases.
The agency also identified the commercialization of feathers, skins, tusks and crafts made with wildlife, practices that feed illegal trafficking networks and normalize the exploitation of protected species.
Sanctions and complaints
Midagri reminds that the possession, use or marketing of quirquincho constitutes a very serious infraction punishable by fines exceeding 10 UIT (more than S/ 51,500) and sentences of up to five years in prison.
For this reason, Serfor promotes “Rituals without cruelty” to promote symbolic alternatives without animal abuse and encourages people to report cases of illegal use to WhatsApp 947 588 269.
