Today in Focus Missing in the Amazon: the protector and the poacher – episode three
Aug 27, 2025
A gripping tale unfolds in the Amazon, revealing the clash between Indigenous protector Bruno Pereira and poacher Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, known as Pelado. Bruno faces peril as he advocates for environmental protection, while Pelado’s transformation from a local to a poacher reflects the escalating violence after political shifts. The podcast delves into the rich history of Indigenous resistance in the Javari region and highlights the personal struggles amidst the chaos, ultimately exposing the dangers faced by those who dare to stand for their rights.
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Bruno's Unlikely Initiation
- Bruno arrived in the Javari Valley in 2010 and earned respect by adapting quickly to indigenous life and learning local languages.
- He passed Beto Marubo's tests, reading dense anthropology texts and surviving a two-month jungle trial while carrying the radio.
Becoming Part Of The Community
- Bruno formed deep ties with indigenous communities, earning names in three cultures and integrating into rituals like ayahuasca songs.
- His partner Beatriz recounts his warmth, cooking, singing to their son, and devotion to local traditions.
Protection Work Provoked Criminal Backlash
- Bruno's enforcement actions — intercepting boats, burning mining barges and seizing illegal meat — disrupted lucrative criminal operations.
- Those raids escalated stakes with poachers like Amarildo "Pelado," who lost income and grew hostile.