Rare Uncontacted Tribe sighted in Brazil

By Staff

Saturday, May 31, 2008, 11:35

Amazon Indians from one of the world's last uncontacted tribes were spotted by plane in a remote part of the Peruvian Amazon last month, according to Survival International. The Indian tribe has had no formal contact with Western civilization.

Several pictures of these Indian tribes were taken by Brazilian government officials during several flights over a remote part of Brazil's Acre state. The photos were taken during 20 hours of flights conducted between April 28 and May 2.The photographs of the tribe rare evidence that such groups exist. One of the pictures, shows two Indian men covered in bright red pigment poised to fire arrows at the aircraft while another Indian looks on.

Survival International, a London-based group which defends the rights of tribal people, said the Indians are in danger from illegal logging in Peru, which is driving the tribes over the border and could lead to conflict with the estimated 500 uncontacted Indians now living on the Brazilian side. The group estimates there are more than 100 remaining isolated indigenous tribes worldwide, with more than half in either Peru or Brazil.