President Chinchilla signs ban on hunting for sport
President Laura Chinchilla on Thursday signed a new law that prohibits hunting for sport in Costa Rica. The measure was approved in December by the Legislative Assembly and will take effect when published in the official daily La Gaceta.
The new hunting law sets fines for sport hunters of up to ₡1.5 million ($3,000) and up to ₡900,000 ($1,800) for people caught trafficking wildlife species.
It allows hunting for personal consumption in limited circumstances, scientific research or wildlife population control. It does not affect sport fishing, a popular tourist activity in the country.
The legislation made Costa Rica the first country on the continent to ban hunting for sport and was promoted by local conservation group Apreflofas, through a new legislative procedure known as public initiative. It includes new national standards for wildlife protection similar to those used in other countries.
Chinchilla said she regretted that the country had to wait six years for the approval of the bill, and that “during all that time some animal species disappeared.”
You may be interested

Reminder: Costa Rica’s entry requirements during the coronavirus pandemic
Alejandro Zúñiga - February 24, 2021Since November 1, tourists from anywhere in the world can visit Costa Rica. Visitors can arrive to Costa Rica via…

Costa Rica details March friendlies against Mexico, Bosnia-Herzegovina
The Tico Times - February 24, 2021The Costa Rican men’s soccer team will face Bosnia-Herzegovina and Mexico in March friendlies, and the local federation has provided…

Costa Rica receives shipment of 92,400 more vaccines
Alejandro Zúñiga - February 24, 2021Costa Rica received 92,430 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on Tuesday night, the single-largest shipment delivered to the country, the Presidency…