Ka'apor

Namesake of: Ka'apor Capuchin (Cebus kaapori)

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- Indigenous Amazonian tribe from northern Maranhão.

- Were the research subjects of American anthropologist Dr. William Balée in the late 90's

- Known for their fierce defense of their territories against encroaching loggers and development projects.

"The Ka’apor – a tribe of about 2,200 people in Maranhão state – have organised a militia of “forest guardians” who follow a strategy of nature conservation through aggressive confrontation.

Logging trucks and tractors that encroach upon their territory – the 530,000-hectare Alto Turiaçu Indigenous Land – are intercepted and burned. Drivers and chainsaw operators are warned never to return. Those that fail to heed the advice are stripped and beaten.

It is dangerous work. Since the tribe decided to manage their own protection in 2011, they say the theft of timber has been reduced, but four Ka’apor have been murdered and more than a dozen others have received death threats."