CAIMAN ECOLOGICAL REFUGE, BRAZIL

Finalist Conservation Award 2007

The Caiman Ecological Refuge (CER) is located in Brazil, Mato Grosso do Sul State, in the Pantanal, the world's largest wetland. It consists of a working cattle ranch, of 132,000 acres, where in 1987 the owner started a sustainable development programme, aiming to promote the conservation of the area. The objective of CER consists of a tripod of interdependent goals: cattle breeding, wildlife conservation and ecotourism, all in harmony, supplying jobs for 150 locals and conserving over 380 species of birds and 60 species of mammals. The Pantanal is favourable for cattle ranching with minimal impact on nature as it is natural open grassland. These conditions and the existence of vast properties in the region give support for both domestic and wild animals, allowing also the preservation of the local flora. Ecotourism aims to educate the visitors on this unique ecosystem and the culture of the local pantaneiros. Tours are conducted by bilingual naturalist leaders and local guides, who add a lot of native knowledge of the area to the experience. Among several activities, travellers can experience three conservation projects, which protect endangered animals such as the Hyacinth Macaw, the Blue-fronted Parrot and the Jaguar.