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Protected wildlife and wild flora species
Considered by the World Resources Institute as forming part
of the select group of eight "megadiverse" countries,
it is estimated that in Peru there are 84 of the 104 life
zones existing in the world, nearly 10% of the species of
mammals and reptiles of the planet, over 20% of earth's birds
and between 40.000 and 50.000 species of vascular plants (the
most developed). Unfortunately many of these species are endangered
due to their unauthorized exploitation for the manufacture
of tourist souvenirs and the cruel traffic of wildlife (transported
under conditions which cause most of them to die during the
trip).
Each loss reduces earth's life diversity with indescribable
consequences. It is for this reason that Peruvian laws prohibit
and sanction the extraction, transport, sale and export of
all types of wildlife and wild flora, dead or alive, without
the authorization of INRENA (1).
The prohibition extends to any object made with their parts
(crowns or necklaces made of Macaw (guacamayo) feathers, butterfly
wings, musical instruments, "tigrillo" skin or "palos
de lluvia" (also called oncelote, a small feline resembling
a tiger).
(1) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF
NATURAL RESOURCES.The National
Institute of Natural Resources (INRENA) is the State's public
organization responsible for promoting the rational use of
natural resources. Current legal regulations impose severe
sanctions to any persons who hunt, extract, transport, sell
or export wildlife or wild flora species, as well as their
products and by-products, including handicrafts made with
such products, without the corresponding authorization.
Archaeological and Historical
Heritage
Peruvian laws prohibit and sanction the sale and export of
original pieces of the national cultural heritage. Abstain
from buying them. However, if you are interested in taking to your country samples of
Peruvian pre-Hispanic or Colonial art, you may buy replicas.
Replicas are all objects of modern manufacture imitating shapes
and decorative figures of pre-Hispanic or Colonial pieces
(ceramic pieces, gold and silver works, stonework, woodworks,
textiles, paintings and others).
When buying replicas of pre-Hispanic or Colonial works, make
sure they have been certified by the INC (2);
this certificate can be obtained at any of the offices of
this institution, located in all departmental capitals. If
you are leaving Peru through the Jorge Chávez Airport,
visit the INC booth after you pass through Immigration post.
The authorization can be granted automatically.
(2) NATIONAL INSTITUTE
OF CULTURE The National Institute
of Culture (INC) is the State's public organization responsible
for the protection, preservation, restoration and dissemination
of Peru's Cultural Heritage.Cultural property, whether archaeological
or historical, is protected by law; and its export is prohibited.
Clandestine export of cultural property is a crime. The law
authorizes the confiscation, in favor of the State, of any
material, equipment and vehicles used in the commission of
crimes against the cultural heritage, as well as of the unduly
obtained cultural property.
Drugs
It is absolutely prohibited to carry drugs. If you do so, you
will be arrested and put in jail. Do not accept to take
in your luggage packages belonging to strangers, under any
circumstances.
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