The value of these virgin stands of tropical hardwoods has now begun to attract the attention of major logging companies -- primarily backed by U.S.-based Newman Lumber. These companies are clearcutting old-growth forest, destroying wildlife habitat, and robbing locals of their traditional livelihood. In the past few years an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 loggers have illegally invaded the area and are threatening the lives of vulnerable nomadic tribes such as the Mascho-Piro, Amahuaca, and Nahua. More recently, the loggers and timber companies have been inciting riots and other violence in an attempt to intimidate Peru's president into allowing their harmful practices to continue.


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