Pantanal

Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay

Covering a region of 140,000 sq. km, the Pantanal is world's largest wetland. Greece for example measures 132,000 sq. km. During the rainy season, the Paraguay River and its tributaries inundate large areas. In the dry season the region turns into a savannah shimmering with heat. Green vegetation then can be found only in lake regions and river plains.

The great variety of large species is immense and comparable to that in Africa. Among them are the Spectacled Caiman, the Yellow Anaconda, the Plains Tapir, Jaguar, Rheas, White-necked Heron, Jabiru as well as huge flocks of waders and waterfowl from North America that winter in the Pantanal wetlands.

Early in the 18th century Brazilians raided the Pantanal to find gold and slaves. Infrastructure, European and American economic systems were introduced. Bushland and woods were set alight to make room for soy and sugar cane plantations both plants mainly being cultivated up to now. To increase the yields, pesticides and fertilisers are used. Ecotrópica, our partner organisation, is trying to persuade the farmers to stop the abuse of these substances, and shows them alternative methods.

Whole regions are contaminated by gold and diamond mining. Illegal hunting of particularly popular animals is another problem. Fortunately the fur-bearing ocelot and jaguar benefit from the international protection and surveillance. As the demand of croc handbags has declined, so the Spectacled Caiman has been given relief from danger. And the international awareness helps the Hyacinth macaw admired for its dazzling blue-violet feathers to survive.