Overview
- SERFOR warned that using wild animals or their parts in ‘limpia’ and ‘good luck’ rites is illegal and urged the public to avoid these practices.
- Officials reported 10,113 wildlife specimens intervened nationwide over the past two years, including 2,319 found at customs, airports, markets, fairs, shops and in public streets.
- The Andean hairy armadillo (quirquincho andino, Chaetophractus vellerosus) is highlighted as a threatened species frequently used in rituals in Puno and Arequipa and observed even in Lima.
- SERFOR cited animal welfare and public‑health risks, noting animals are hidden without water or food and handled in ways that raise zoonotic disease transmission concerns.
- Penalties include administrative fines of more than 10 UIT and up to 5,000 UIT, with possible criminal prosecution under Penal Code article 308‑C carrying sentences of up to five years; reports can be filed via Alerta SERFOR on WhatsApp at 947 588 269 under the ‘Rituales sin crueldad’ campaign.