Peruvian Cockfighting’s Impact on the Endangered Largetooth Sawfish

Peru’s cockfighting industry poses a threat to the critically endangered largetooth sawfish, as its teeth are sought after for use in rooster spurs. Despite bans on their capture and the use of animal-based spurs, illegal trade continues. Conservation efforts include raising awareness within the cockfighting community about the species’ endangered status. However, the enforcement of existing regulations on this matter remains challenging.

The survival of the critically endangered largetooth sawfish may be impacted by Peru’s cockfighting industry. Known for its distinctive chainsaw-shaped snout, this species can grow up to 23 feet long and was once common along Peru’s northern coastline. However, due to habitat destruction, accidental capture, and illegal trade, largetooth sawfish populations have significantly decreased and are now extremely rare.

One of the main threats to the largetooth sawfish stems from poachers targeting its elongated teeth, which are prized in Peru for polishing into spurs used in cockfighting. While cockfighting is prohibited in the United States, it is still legal and regarded as a cultural practice in Peru. Many cockfighters highly favor largetooth sawfish spurs for the strength they provide their roosters.

Research conducted between 2016 and 2017 indicated that over half of surveyed Peruvian cockfighters had purchased largetooth sawfish spurs in the past five years. However, increased awareness about the species’ endangered status is provoking concern among conservationists and some members of the cockfighting community. Advocating for protection, Peru’s Ministry of Production prohibited the capture, transport, and sale of largetooth sawfish and their parts in 2020.

Notably, some Peruvian cockfighting leagues had earlier enforced bans against using animal-based spurs to safeguard both largetooth sawfish and roosters, which suffer fewer injuries from artificial alternatives. Nonetheless, enforcing these bans is challenging as illegal sales of largetooth sawfish spurs continue, with some items being marketed online while local fishermen assert there is still a demand for these teeth.

Conservation advocates are actively countering this issue by raising awareness within the cockfighting community about the largetooth sawfish’s precarious situation, using presentations at events and distributing informational flyers. Marine conservationists assert that while habitat loss critically threatens the species, the impacts of cockfighting also warrant attention given the rarity of the largetooth sawfish.

The situation surrounding the largetooth sawfish is dire, with its population threatened primarily by habitat loss, poaching, and the demand for its teeth in cockfighting. While regulations have been enacted to protect this species, challenges in enforcement and ongoing illegal trade persist. Raising awareness and cultural change within the cockfighting community are essential steps toward the preservation of this rare species.

Original Source: san.com