The “jaguars” located the bulldozers clear cutting and burning
the forest while on the prowl in Salta, on the border of the Great
Chaco and Yungas forests. Five “jaguars” used motorbikes to
intercept the bulldozers and block their path to the forest. They
locked the machines using chains to immobilize them and stamped
“Blocked by Greenpeace” on the diggers.
“Argentina’s rich biodiversity is being swallowed up by
Monsanto’s genetically engineered soya. The Argentinean Government
must intervene and stop these unique jaguar forests being
destroyed,” said Emiliano Biodiversity Campaign Coordinator,
Greenpeace Argentina.
Greenpeace “jaguars” have been tracking down bulldozers since
Monday. So far, eight machines remain immobilized and stamped, and
the “jaguars” are still on the prowl for more.
The sharp increase in soy cultivation is causing social as well
as environmental problems in Argentina. Ramón Ferriera, who lives
in the Great Chaco forest, said, “They force us to leave our land,
often with guns. Then they come with these powerful machines, knock
down all the trees, burn them and plant soya. We see no economic
benefit from such great destruction and we lose all we have.”
More than 5,400 people around the
world have telephoned their Argentinean Embassies this week, to
demand that Argentinean President, Dr. Néstor Kirchner, stops the
forest destruction.
