A member of an uncontacted tribe from the Amazon Rainforest has made contact with a rural community in Bela Rosa, as reported by the AP. Brazilian authorities are working to establish communication with the individual, with the goal of doing so as early as possible.

The Fundação Nacional dos Povos Indígenas (National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples, or Funai) issued a statement indicating that the man made contact on his own initiative around 7 p.m. local time on Wednesday. He was seen walking into the community of Bela Rosa in the southwestern Amazon, barefoot and wearing only a loincloth. The man was waving two sticks, leading locals to believe he was asking for fire.

A video shared online showed the individual attempting to use a lighter, and shortly after, he was given food (fish) and taken to a Funai facility. According to Funai, various local and state entities had activated contingency plans in preparation for this event, and medical and service staff are on their way to the community, where they will remain for an undetermined period.

The AP reported that a member of the Juma tribe, a nearby group now consisting of only three individuals, is expected to arrive at the Funai facility in an attempt to communicate with the uncontacted man.

Funai estimates that there are at least 100 uncontacted groups in the Amazon region of Brazil. As a general rule, the foundation avoids contact with these indigenous groups to protect them from external threats such as deforestation and deliberate searches by third parties. Funai regularly monitors the known uncontacted tribes to ensure their safety and prevent interference from development or harmful actors.

One of the major threats to these uncontacted communities is the risk of contracting Eurasian diseases, to which they have no immunity. As Survival International points out, the consequences can be devastating: “It is not unusual for 50% of a people to be wiped out within a year of first contact, by diseases such as measles and influenza which can be brought in by loggers, missionaries, miners or other land-grabbers.”

It’s essential to note that being “uncontacted” does not mean being unaware of surrounding communities. Experts believe that these tribes are generally aware of the communities around them. Some, like the Sentinelese of North Sentinel Island, have clearly indicated their desire to be left alone, sometimes through violent means.

According to the AP, Funai first confirmed the presence of an indigenous group in the area in 2021, when officials discovered abandoned camps. This week’s sighting marks the first recorded encounter with a member of the group.

Funai stated that land speculation and local conflicts pose significant challenges to their goal of safeguarding the uncontacted people in the Mamoriá Grande area, which was declared off-limits to non-indigenous peoples in December.

When an uncontacted individual initiates contact with the outside world, it presents a unique situation. Hopefully, the Juma individual will be able to communicate with the young man and understand his reasons for making contact earlier this week.