Law Banning Hunting in Costa Rica Nears Approval

Costa Rica is primed be the first Latin American country to outlaw hunting as a sport. Following a recent approval from Congress on reforms to its Wildlife Conservation Law the bill may go into effect if the second vote is sucessful. The changes aim to protect the region’s diverse and exotic wildlife, while also protecting the country’s tourism-reliant economy, which collects roughly $2.1 billion each year. Tropical rainforests, sandy beaches, and national parks—which bring in around 300,000 visitors per year—are a large draw, and are home to highly prized “trophy” animals such as jaguars, pumas, and sea turtles. While the ban would be nation-wide, it would not apply to scientific research or to the country’s indigenous groups who rely on hunting for survival.