Context: Recently, the previously uncontacted Mashco Piro tribe emerged in Peru due to encroachment and a search for food and safety. 

Mashco Piro Tribe

• Overview:

• Size: The Mashco Piro is the largest uncontacted tribe globally, with an estimated population of over 750 members.

• Location: They traditionally inhabit the Amazon rainforest, a region known for its vast biodiversity.

• Isolation: The Mashco Piro have lived in isolation for much of their history, maintaining minimal contact with the outside world.

• Interactions and Risks

• Limited Contact: The tribe occasionally interacts with the Yine community, with whom they share ancestry and language.

• Health Risks: These interactions are risky due to the Mashco Piro’s lack of immunity to common diseases, which can have devastating effects on their population.

• Historical Context:

• 1880s Rubber Boom: During this period, rubber barons invaded the Mashco Piro’s territory, leading to significant exploitation, violence, and atrocities against the tribe.

• Protection Efforts:

• 2002 Reserve: Perú established the Madre de Dios Territorial Reserve to protect the Mashco Piro’s land and way of life. However, the reserve only covers about one-third of the area initially proposed for their protection.

Perú

• Geography:

• Location: Western South America, bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and the Pacific Ocean.

• Diverse Habitats: Includes the Andes mountains and the Amazon Basin rainforest, contributing to its rich biodiversity.

• Climate Influences: Affected by its tropical latitude and two significant ocean currents: the Humboldt and El Niño.

• Economic Resources:

• Major Producer: Perú is a leading producer of several minerals and metals, including: Lithium; Lead; Zinc; Gold; Copper and Silver.