HUANCHACA PLATEAU — 1986 · Murder
The Killing of Biologist Noel Kempff Mercado
Bolivian naturalist Noel Kempff Mercado, founding director of Santa Cruz's botanical garden and zoo, was one of the country's best-known conservationists. On 5 September 1986 the small plane carrying his scientific expedition on the Huanchaca plateau mistakenly landed on a clandestine airstrip used by drug traffickers, next to a large cocaine-processing complex. The traffickers opened fire, killing Kempff, the pilot and the guide; a Spanish scientist survived by hiding in the forest. The killing shocked Bolivia and was seen as a turning point in the fight against drug trafficking. In 1988 the area became a national park bearing his name.
- Date
- 1986
- Place
- Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Huanchaca Plateau, BO
- Category
- Murder
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- -14.4500, -60.7500 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 5 September 1986The expedition plane landed at a hidden airstrip at Huanchaca; Kempff and two others were killed.
- September 1986The surviving Spanish scientist was rescued hours later.
- 1986The killing increased public pressure against drug trafficking.
- 1988Huanchaca National Park was renamed Noel Kempff Mercado National Park.
Sources
- El País — La imposible aventura de un biólogo (1986) elpais.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Noel Kempff Mercado en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Wikipedia (ES) — Noel Kempff Mercado es.wikipedia.org ↗
- El País
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
Related Cases
More cases from the 1980s
Categories
🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.