To follow up on our recent post regarding the photographs of the uncontacted tribe located deep within the Amazon we wanted to bring forth some updates due to the discussion as to how this situation should be handled. As previously mentioned illegal logging activity has caused pressure on indigenous peoples of Amazonia in Brazil and Peru . The uncontacted tribes seen in the photographs (from tribes similar to the one shown above) are believed to be native to the Peruvian jungle and are suspected by the government of Peru to be victims of illegal logging. The Peruvian government claims they intend to leave these people alone.

[Uncontacted tribe spotted on banks of the Las Piedras River, Peru 10/07]

There are an estimated 500 uncontacted indigenous people in this region that are part of 15 different tribes, some at war with each other. ‘The idea is to protect them, not contact them,’ says Ronald Iberra. These indigenous people are very susceptible to the diseases of the outside world and have very little immunity to our common illnesses.  Some anthropologists believe that this tribe is one of many that have chosen isolation after having some kind of negative experience with contact from the outside world, possibly generations ago. 

[There's an estimated 15 uncontacted tribes living in remote parts of Peru]

Professionals and experts will make an expedition to the region to gather information on the threat of logging in the area. Officials also believe that missionaries follow these people through the jungle hoping to convert them causing disruption to their lives. The efforts by the Peruvian government to investigate the issue of illegal deforestation is an encouraging development in this part of the world with so much ecological unrest.

"Native culture experts worried that the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004, may have wiped out many or all of the indigenous peoples of India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This image of a belligerent Sentinel Island man taken on December 28, as well other photos shot by the Indian Coast Guard, reassured them that at least Sentinelese tribespeople survived."

[More from National Geographic]

The Dani tribes of Indonesia's West Papua province lost their status as "uncontacted" in 1938 when American adventurer Richard Archbold noticed farms and villages while flying over what was then Dutch New Guinea. Since their "discovery," the Dani have become one of the world's most recognizable indigenous peoples, visited by countless tourists and featured in dozens of books and documentaries.

[More from National Geographic]