No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeAnimal protectionHunter under investigation for killing Costa Rican cougar

Hunter under investigation for killing Costa Rican cougar

Prosecutors in the southern Pacific canton of Buenos Aires, in the province of Puntarenas, are investigating a local man for allegedly killing a Costa Rican cougar (Puma concolor costaricensis), an endangered species in the country.

The investigation began after a photograph of the man holding the body of the dead cougar as a trophy next to his shotgun appeared in a story published by the digital newspaper pzhoy.com.

“We received the photograph attached to an email from one of our readers,” the site’s webmaster Randall Chávez told The Tico Times.

Agents of the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) along with members of the National System of Conservation Areas used the information in the email to identify the man and opened an investigation on the case that reportedly occurred in late April.

Earlier this month OIJ agents arrested the man following an inspection of his property located in the rural community of San Luis de Chánguena in Buenos Aires.

The man, whose identity was not disclosed, was charged with a violation to the Wildlife Law, and a copy of the picture was filed as evidence before the local court.

The legal process against him initiated in early May, and he was released with preventive measures, OIJ’s press office confirmed.

Hunting for sport was banned in Costa Rica in 2013 when ex-President Laura Chinchilla signed a law setting fines for hunters of up to ₡1.5 million ($3,000) and up to ₡900,000 ($1,800) for people caught trafficking wildlife species.

The law allows hunting for personal consumption in limited circumstances, scientific research or wildlife population control, and it does not affect sport fishing, a popular tourist activity in the country.

Trending Now

Guatemala Offers Asylum to Nicaraguan Migrants Deported by U.S.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo announced on Friday that his country will grant asylum to Nicaraguan migrants deported by the United States who do not...

Costa Rica to Launch Electric Air Taxis for Sustainable Travel in Guanacaste

Costa Rica is poised to revolutionize its transportation landscape with the introduction of electric air taxis, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional ground travel...

Costa Rica’s Rare Birds at Risk as Human Activity Threatens Extinction

Costa Rica’s bare-necked umbrellabird, a striking black bird with a red throat pouch and crest, is in trouble. A new study in Nature Ecology...

2025 Gold Cup: Honduras Advances After Dramatic Shootout, Mexico Ends Goal Drought

Honduras, with a surprising and dramatic penalty shootout victory over Panama, and Mexico, with a lackluster win against Saudi Arabia, advanced Saturday to the...

Celso Gamboa Allegedly Ran Drug Ring with Costa Rican Government Ties

Celso Gamboa, once Costa Rica’s Security Minister and a Supreme Court judge, now faces extradition to the U.S. for leading a major cocaine trafficking...

Honduras Seizes $2 Million, Gold-Plated Pistols in Drug Raid

Honduran authorities struck a blow against drug cartels, seizing over $2 million in cash, war rifles, and flashy gold-plated pistols in Copán, a northwest...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica