The Pantanal

 The Pantanal is a vast sedimentary floodplain in the middle of South America and is located less than 200 meters above sea level. The Pantanal is about the half the size of France (230,000 sq km/ 88,000 sq miles). While the Paraguay River is the most important river flowing into this ecosystem, about 170 other rivers flow into this basin, including the São Lourenço, Cuiabá, Taquari, Miranda, Negro, Bento Gomes, Aquidauana, Seputuba, Cabaçal, Jauru. Together they form a spectacular hydrological network, interrupted by innumerable lagoons and ponds rarely deeper than 2 meters. When the seasonal influx of waters arrives in October, the plain is turned into a sheet of water, making the Pantanal the world’s largest wetland.

 While it doesn’t rain much in the Pantanal itself (rains vary between 1- 1.5 m annually) the influx of water is the result of drainage from upland areas and carries with it silt that nourishes the soil with nutrients, allowing a huge variety of wildlife to flourish. The Pantanal is one of the best places in Latin America to see wildlife. For a place of its size the concentration of animal species one finds here is truly amazing.

Also known as the Kingdom o Waters – with large flooded areas throughout almost all of the rainy period – the Pantanal has rich animal and plant biodiversity, which 656 bird species.Due to environmental characteristics and geographic location, the Pantanal is also on the route of migratory birds, which find there ideal conditions to make a pit stop in their journey. Thus, it is one of the best places for bird watching in Brazil.

The Pantanal is one of earth’s biological gems. The jaguars, the people, and the traditions are all part of the fabric that has kept this very special place intact for so long. Together we can save the Pantanal and all of its wildlife there for many generations to come.  Pantanal Nature staff is developing a different and sustainable tourism in the area.