Stop the looming massacre of Brazilian wildlife!

Lobbyists are pushing to legalize hunting in Brazil – even in nature reserves. Hunting is cruel and compromises ecosystems, and legalizing the blood sport would only cater to hunters’ lust for killing. Please help stop the hunting bill submitted to the Brazilian National Congress.

Call to action

Hunting – the killing of wildlife for “sport” – has been outlawed in Brazil for more than half a century. Now, a bill has been submitted to the Brazilian National Congress would legalize hunting throughout the country, including in nature reserves.

Bill No. 6,268/16 proposes the legalization of “sport” and commercial hunting grounds, as well as permitting commercial breeding and trade in wildlife.

Brazilian environmentalists have criticized the bill sharply, describing hunting as cruel, immoral and a medieval ritual. Legalized hunting would only cater to hunters’ lust for killing and boost the trade in threatened species. The bill also plays into the hands of the Brazilian arms industry and arms exporters, particularly those in the United States.

Brazil’s wildlife – which has already been decimated dramatically – must be protected against further destruction, writes APREMAVI, a Brazilian NGO.

Scientists reject the proposed law because hunting would compromise the health of natural ecosystems and cultivated land – and ultimately affect our own quality of life. Wildlife is crucial for both natural ecosystems and crops: by dispersing seeds it helps regenerate forests, maintains an ecological equilibrium and helps keep pests and diseases under control.

The bill would furthermore undermine wildlife protection established in the Law on Wildlife Protection (No. 5,197/67), the Law on Environmental Crimes (No. 9,605/98) and international treaties signed by Brazil such as the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.

Please support the petition to the Brazilian National Congress to protect wildlife and reject the hunting bill!

Back­ground Letter