Costa Rica announces ban on hunting as a sport
Costa Rica announced on Monday that the country will ban hunting as a sport after a unanimous and final vote from Congress, making them the first Latin American country to ban the sport.
Lawmakers had temporarily approved a reform to its Wildlife Conservation law back in October. With 25% of its land protected as national parks or reserves, the central American country is already known for its environmental mindset.
Those caught hunting under the new law will face up to four months in prison or fines of up to $3,000. The reform also states that smaller penalties will be given to individuals who steal wild animals or keep them as pets. Jaguars, pumas and sea turtles are among Costa Rica's most treasured species.
"There is no data on how much money hunting generates in the country, but we do know there are currently clandestine hunting tours that go for about $5,000 per person," said the deputy director at Apreflofas, Arturo Carballo, an environmentalist organisation who lead the reform.
Foreign hunters also go to Costa Rica in search of exotic felines while others look to obtain rare and colorful parrots as pets.
This is also Costa Rica's first proposal that came to Congress by popular initiative, with 177,000 signatures calling for the ban submitted two years ago.
