Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
342 Volunteer in the
Pantanal, Brazil
Cattle-ranching used to be the main
threat to the biodiversity of Brazil's
Pantanal, the world's largest freshwater
wetland (it's bigger than France). But
now pollution, sport fishing and tourism
(as well as a black market for exotic pets)
are all contributing to the destruction
of this unique habitat - a UNESCO
World Heritage Site that's home to thirty
million caimans alone.
You can help address these problems
by joining one of four research projects
organized by Earthwatch, a global
conservation body that places volunteers
at the heart of scientific research.
You'll stay in shared accommodation
on a ranch with other members of the
expedition. Choose between working
with: amphibians and reptiles (using a
variety of methods to catch and record
red-footed tortoises, false water cobras,
tiny tree frogs and many other animals);
bats, which involves catching them at
night with mist nets (lightweight mesh
netting that provides a safe technique for
capturing them in flight); birds (there are
690 species in the Pantanal, including
parrots, kingfishers and hummingbirds
(Clockwise from top) Caiman; Jaguar; Crested Caracara; Capybara; Parrot Snake
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