Greenpeace Jaguars caged

Saving Argentine forests from destruction

31 August 2004

Greenpeace activists, dressed as 'jaguars', used chains to immobilise bulldozers that have been destroying Yungas forest in north west Argentina. Argentina's forests are being cut down to grow Monsanto's genetically engineered soya for export as animal feed to Europe and China.

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Buenos Aires, Argentina — Our team of Greenpeace Jaguars, who have been protecting the ancient forests of Argentina from the expansion of Genetically Engineered soya, have been arrested while documenting the deforestation in northern Argentina some 1800 km north of Buenos Aires in the city of Tartagal, north of Salta province.

Among the nine is Martin Prieto the Executive Director of Greenpeace Argentina. The Jaguars' lawyer was also thrown into jail, thus depriving them of legal representation. Our team in Argentina has spoken with the Jaguars and for now they remain in good spirit.

We believe that they were arrested for the misdemeanour of trespassing, so far the judge has decided not to release them and could keep them in jail for days. For now they are being held under custody in the Intelligence Brigade of the State Police of Salta in a local police station.

The Jaguars have been prowling Argentina's native forests for over a month now, tracking down its destruction and trying to halt the onslaught of GE Soya monoculture.

More information

Read more about the unique biodiversity which is being destroyed in the Yungas Rainforest and the Great Chaco American forest.

See the Greenpeace Jaguars in action:

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Latest Update

Jaguars set free! 1 September, 2004: Our Greenpeace Jaguars have now been released from jail - including their motorbikes. A new lawyer arrived today and successfully negotiated their release. Thanks to everyone who participated in the cyberalert. Jaguars in Action See this Associated Press video coverage of the Jaguars in action.(Sorry, Windows Media only)