The teams trying to reach the expert Bruno Pereira, who was traveling with the British journalist Dom Phillips, who was lost in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil, examined the blood samples they detected.
After traces of blood were seen on a fishing boat, blood samples were sent for analysis to determine whether they belonged to a human or an animal.
The fisherman, who found traces of blood on his boat, was also detained.
Experienced journalists Dom Phillips and Brazilian Bruno Pereira, who write regularly for the British Guardian newspaper, disappeared on Sunday in the Amazon rainforest, where they were researching for a book.
Phillips and Pereira were last seen in Javari, Amazon State.
Locals say that the duo, who was researching for the book Phillips wrote, was threatened a few days ago.
It is stated that Pereira has received death threats many times in the past due to his work on illegal fishing.
The Brazilian federal police and navy continue their search in the area.
Dom Phillips’ family said every second counts in the search effort.
His sister, Sian Phillips, who lives in London, urged the British authorities to step up the pressure on the Brazilian government.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said, “Let’s pray to God that they are still alive. But with each passing day, these hopes are fading.”
It is stated that approximately 250 security guards participated in the search and rescue efforts.
Two helicopters, more than ten boats and UAVs are also trying to track down the missing journalist and investigator.
Violence spread in the region
Phillips, 57, has lived in Brazil for over 10 years and is particularly known for his news and research on the Amazon rainforest.
Bruno Pereira, who accompanied the British journalist in his research, is an expert on indigenous tribal peoples who live in the rainforest and have little contact with the outside world.
It has been announced that Pereira works at Funai, an indigenous peoples agency affiliated with the Brazilian government, but is currently on leave.
The two had been exploring the area for a week, and on Friday they took a boat to Lake Jaburu.
According to the information given by the two native tribes, they should have returned to the city of Atalaia do Norte on Sunday afternoon, but they did not come back.
Thereupon, Phillips and Pereira’s families reported that their relatives were missing and called for them to be searched immediately.
The Guardian newspaper also reported that he was very concerned about Phillips and “wanted to know about his whereabouts and condition”.
More than 20 indigenous peoples live in the Javari region in the northwest of Brazil’s Amazon state.
Violence has become very common in recent years in the region where illegal mining, fishing and hunting activities have increased.
The regional headquarters of the state’s indigenous tribal institution, Funai, has also been attacked many times.