Operativo en Parque Provincial Aconcagua (Crédito Gobierno de Mendoza)
Authorities from the Ministry of the Environment and the Public Prosecutor’s Office intervened in the Park, confiscating 70 mules that showed clear signs of animal abuse
In a joint operation carried out by the Environment Ministry and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the operations carried out in the Aconcagua Provincial Park were intervened, confirming signs of mistreatment on the mules that, year after year, carry out the task of carrying materials for the clients of companies that provide services in the Park.
According to official reports, seventy animals were «rescued» for showing signs of abuse, wounds, including burns, to the point of finding dead animals. This was the case of a 15-year-old male, called «Lunático», identified with chip 49224, who entered the Vacas ravine on November 17. He was in the care of the muleteers José Salas, Jorge Fernández, Alexis Mercado and Martín Aguilera. A muleteer who was passing by saw the animal and notified the authorities and requested permission for euthanasia, which was authorized by the park’s veterinarians.
At the beginning of this week, the prosecutor Gabriel Blanco was present at the Park, together with personnel from the provincial Protected Areas, and the Mendoza police, with the objective of carrying out a control operation. During the operation, two muleteers were arrested who face charges for violating law 22.421 on animal abuse.
The seventy confiscated animals remain in a recovery area, under the supervision of veterinary personnel.
It was reported that a total of three hundred mules were examined, of which seventy were found to be in a truly worrying state.
As we were able to confirm, the private companies that carry out this type of activity, after this operation, did not receive any sanction, at least for the moment, and continue to operate as they normally do.
Immediately, a concern arises: How are these companies going to make up for the absence of those 70 mules? We could therefore infer that this task should then be carried out in a complementary manner by the remaining 230 mules?
Just as there is a helicopter used for rescue, perhaps the time has come to implement a similar service for the transport of supplies to the high-altitude camps, given that these companies charge their clients hefty fees for the work that the animals end up doing.
Jennifer Ibarra, representative of the renowned Cullunche Foundation, has denounced on numerous occasions the abuse suffered by these animals. «The mules are forced to carry up to three times their capacity in extreme conditions. This is not tradition, it is cruelty,» she declared. The foundation has promoted both legal actions and awareness campaigns to eradicate these practices.
On the other hand, the deputy Emanuel Fugazzotto took a step forward by presenting a bill to address animal abuse and eradicate blood traction throughout Mendoza. The legislator stressed that «the evolution towards responsible tourism is key for the future of the province.» This project seeks to generate a positive impact not only on Aconcagua, but also in other areas where animals are still exploited for commercial purposes.
Perhaps the time has come to take definitive action on this issue, which has been active for decades, and consequent claims, and once and for all, we can take a fundamental step in the definitive eradication of this type of animal exploitation.
Not to mention if it is for tourist purposes or whatever you want to call it, as is the case here. Let us not forget a very important premise: whoever goes to the mountain must carry his things, and come down with his waste. The same applies to the companies that provide these services. And the authority must enforce it, with actions, sanctions, and even disqualifications.
What happened in this regard this week may be a good sign that perhaps indicates to us that we are beginning to walk down the right path.
2
20
20About The Author
