We speak with National Geographic writer Chris Fagan about the investigative report he just filed for Mongabay revealing a massive invasion of national parks in the Peruvian Amazon, in an area relied upon by isolated indigenous communities. 

Traveling up the Sepahua River with indigenous guides, Fagan counted more than 250 plots of land illegally cleared for cocaine production in recent months. He met some of these growers and describes for us a very 'Wild West' scene that Peruvian officials know little about, in an area that was thought to be largely protected.

Read Chris's full report and see the stunning video and drone footage here:

https://news.mongabay.com/2019/12/coca-farms-close-in-on-protected-areas-isolated-tribes-in-peruvian-amazon/

Here's this episode's top news:

• Revealed: Government officials say permits for mega-plantation in Papua were falsified
• Hopes dim as COP25 delegates dicker over Article 6 and world burns: critics
• Newly spotted calves boost Javan rhino population to 72

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Photo of Chris Fagan by Jason Houston/Upper Amazon Conservancy.

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