Shaman aims to scupper Ecuador oil plans

Ecu-warrior: Ecuadoran Patricio Jipa and wife looking to thwart Petroamazonas' plans

Ecuador’s Petroamazonas will no doubt over the years have stared down much competition to its exploration plans in the ecologically-rich South American nation.

But now the state-owned company’s plans to explore for oil in one pristine part of the Amazon will it against new detractors: a local shaman, his British wife and their toddler daughter.

Patricio Jipa and wife Mari Muench are going door-to-door in an indigenous community close to Yasuni National Park in an effort to convince locals not to allow the oil company to carry out a seismic survey, according to UK newspaper The Guardian.

The campaigners need to get a majority of the 422-strong Kichwa indigenous community on Sani Isla to vote down Petroamazonas’ plans at a village meeting penciled…

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