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| Paraguay, where wet meets dry and giants roam |
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| Paraguay is a relatively small country with a population of about 4.1 million, 98% of whom live in eastern Paraguay, leaving the Gran Chaco as a wildlife rich wilderness. This wilderness is extremely important in terms of biodiversity and particularly so in the far north-eastern corner, close to the borders with Bolivia and Brazil, where the Chaco forms a mosaic of habitats interspersed with palm savannahs and the edge of the Pantanal. Here lowland rainforest, dry forests, grasslands, and wetlands all come together, making for a wildlife spectacle that is truly unique. Nearly 120 mammal species live here of which at least 50 species are known to be seriously depleted in numbers, such as the Giant River Otter, Giant Armadillo and Giant Anteater. Although Jaguar numbers aren't high it is still one of the best places to see one and when the river is low you can also see Capybara, the world's largest rodent. Over 600 species of birds are found here, including the endangered Hyacinth Macaw, and the region is particularly important for aquatic birds such as the Jabiru Stork, Neotropical Cormorant, and Snowy Egret. |
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| The great Paraguay River completely separates two distinct habitats. Seasonal flooding of the river creates the Pantanal, the largest wetland in the world and to the west lies the Chaco grassland. This photograph clearly illustrates that the main population live to the west of the river. |
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| The Finch Family Reserve, Chaco-Panatanal |
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| In response to the increasing level of threat faced by these unique habitats and their biodiversity, particularly from agriculture, development and pollution, WLT has been working with local partners Guyra Paraguay to create the Chaco-Pantanal Reserve. Located in north-eastern Paraguay, the 10,000 hectare reserve area encompasses Palm Savannah (dry forest), Chaco Grassland, and Pantanal Wetland. The Generations Trust has been a key supporter in this intiative, providing funding to secure 3,081 hectares of habitat, approximately a third of the whole reserve, which has been named as the "Finch Family Reserve". As can be seen on the map, the Finch Family Reserve creates the southern boundary of the reserve, and itself lies on the river confluence, on the borders of Brazil and Bolivia. The property directly north of the Finch Family Reserve is the next priority for extending the reserve, which would provide active protection along the river bank, which is vulnerable to encroachment. The land is managed and protected by Guyra Paraguay and the “Three Giants” sustainable ecotourism lodge is currently under construction, with the aim to help fund the long-term management of the reserve. |
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| Jabiru Storks, the largest stork in the world, are typical of this habitat and easy to see |
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| The World Land Trust |
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| Based in rural Suffolk, the World Land Trust was started in 1989 as a UK fundraising charity helping save tropical forests in Belize, and as a result Programme for Belize was able to purchase over a quarter of a million acres of tropical forest for conservation. Since then WLT has secured over 350,000 acres of threatened habitats across the world, with projects in Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Patagonia, India, the Philippines and now Paraguay. WLT always works with local partner organisations who take on the ownership and responsibility for protecting and managing the reserves in perpetuity. The WLT also helps develop sustainable and environmentally friendly livelihoods for local communities, such as ecotourism, crafts and sustainable forestry. With local support and sound management, projects can become independent from the WLT and continue to thrive on their own, protecting wildlife and their habitats for the future. |
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| Bahia Negra is the nearest community to the Chaco-Pantanal Reserve and the young people who live there run an extremely vibrant Eco-Club. It is from this small town that it is hoped to appoint the first wardens and education officers for the reserve. |
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Rohini Finch, of the Generations Trust sets out on horseback to see the Reserve area for herself
To find out more about the World Land Trust, visit:
http://www.worldlandtrust.org
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