A forest defender from southern Mexico who was the subject of death threats and attacks from illegal loggers has turned up more than a week after dropping out of the public eye.

"Even my neighbors are after me," wrote 36-year old Mixteca environmentalist Irma Galindo Barrios of Oaxaca state on Facebook before she disappeared, adding: "I know no fear."

But she did know common sense, apparently.

Ms. Galindo alerted authorities in San Esteban Atatlahuca about the threats, but did not trust the reaction of local politicians.  It wasn't the first time she went to authorities about the sawmills that operate with local permits despite coming about their supply or rare, tropical hardwood illegally.  So she went into seclusion to protect herself and her family.  

Concern for Galindo mobilized environmental organizations, human rights and indigenous defenders, and feminist groups to take urgent action and spread the word of her disappearance on social media.  Meanwhile, the Human Rights Ombudsman of Oaxaca went to Atatlahuca to meet with Galindo's relatives to gather information that made possible the location of the activist - alive.  Her location is not being divulged at this time.

The concern for her safety was not misplaced.  In 2018, at least sixteen earth defenders were killed in Mexico.  One of the higher profile cases was Julian Carrillo of Chihuahua state in the north.  He opposed illegal mining and logging by landowners, and paid for it with his life.  

Earlier this year, Samir Flores Soberanes - a journalist and environmental activist fighting against plans to build a gas pipeline through a town near the capital - was shot twice in the head as he sat on his front porch.  It happened three days before a public vote on the project was due to take place.  

The Galindo case drew frightening comparisons with the 2016 assassination of Honduran activist Berta Caceres, who was also a indigenous woman fighting corporate exploitation of resources in her community before she was murdered in her own home.  Last year, the Honduran Supreme Court indefinitely suspended the trial of eight ex-military and corporate security types working for a company that wanted to build a dam through Ms. Caceres' community.

Environmental activists were killed in record numbers in 2017, the latest year for which there are figures.  According to data gathered by Global Witness, 201 were murdered.