COSTA RICA PASSES LAW BANNING HUNTING AS A SPORT

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]osta Rica on Monday became the first Latin American country to ban hunting as a sport, following an unanimous and final vote from Congress.

Lawmakers had provisionally approved a reform to its Wildlife Conservation law back in October, which will protect the country’s wildlife – including several species of native big cats. Any hunters caught breaking the new law will face jail time or hefty fines. With a population of 4.5 million people, Costa Rica is one of the world’s most biodiverse nations.

Smaller penalties for people who steal wild animals or keep them as pets were also included in the reform. Jaguars, pumas and sea turtles are among Costa Rica’s most treasured species.

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Once again Costa Rica teaches the world how to act in a civilized manner.
AND IT IS A NATION IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT LISTENS TO THE PEOPLE. 

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“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 Arturo Carballo, deputy director at Apreflofas, an environmentalist organization who spearheaded the reform.

Foreign hunters come 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.

Sources:

http://inhabitat.com/costa-rica-becomes-first-latin-american-country-to-ban-hunting-for-sport/

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/11/us-costarica-hunting-idUSBRE8BA04P20121211