Precious Pantanal Wetlands

Hi everyone!

Today I'm in Brazil on the outskirts of the largest wetland in the world - the Pantanal wetlands. This wetland covers 140, 000 km2 which stretches over parts of Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. It floods regularly from around March to May which was called the cheia, opposed to the dry season which goes from September to November which is known as seca. There is also the enchente which is when the water rises from December to February and the vazante from June to August when it recesses.

The Pantanal has amazing biodiversity and is host to over 700 different species of birds, which one of the main aspects that the Pantanal is known for. Some of the main types are herons, egrets, storks, spoonbills, ibises, ducks, jabirus and kingfishers. There are also 26 species of parrots. The Pantanal is also home to a variety of endangered home jaguars, ocelots, maned wolves, giant anteaters, giant armadillos, marsh deer and Brazilian tapirs. Being a wetland, there are also many types of fish, numbering over 260 species that have been established.

It is so cool being here because there is a lot of the wetland that has still not been thoroughly checked and many species remain completely untouched by humans. Unfortunately, the precious wetlands are being slowly destroyed by careless people by illegal poaching, deforestation, over fishing, not to mention too many tourists which can cause pollution and can frighten the animals. Some people are making efforts to preserve this amazing wetlands with it's intricate biodiversity.

Hope your having just as fantastic a time!!!

Alice