Project Partner Organisation: GUYRA PARAGUAY www.guyra.org.py Contact Guyra

Chaco/Pantanal Project, Paraguay:

Chaco-Pantanal Reserve

The World Land Trust has funded a reserve in Paraguay's savanna grassland to protect rare mammals and raise awareness of the diversity of wildlife and the threats to the habitat.

The Jabiru stork is commonly sighted in the reserve.

Chaco-Pantanal

The Chaco-Pantanal reserve is located in the very north-eastern tip of Paraguay, bordering Bolivia and Brazil, and the total reserve of 23,675 acres (9,581 ha) was created with funds provided by WLT through a legacy provided by Sid Templer, 8,650 acres (3,600 ha) and the Generations Trust/Finch family, 7,613 acres (3,081 ha). IUCN-NL (Netherlands) also contributed funds to enable the purchase of a further 7,166 acres (2,900 ha).

The wetlands of the Chaco-Pantanal

Chaco-Pantanal Reserve, Paraguay

The World Land Trust initiated a project in Paraguay towards the end of 2005 following a legacy from Sid Templer, a businessman from East Anglia, UK. The reserve (Now named the Chaco-Pantanal Reserve) is located in Paraguay's Chaco-Pantanal region, close to the border with Brazil and Bolivia and is owned and managed by WLT's partner organisation Guyra Paraguay. The initial land purchase consisted of over 8,650 acres (3,600 hectares) and comprises chaco (grassland), palm savannah (dry forest) and pantanal (wetland) habitats. The Reserve has now increased to over 14,000 hectares.

The site is adjacent to the Otuquis National Park in neighbouring Bolivia, which allows wildlife to move safely between the two areas. The nature of the habitat means that it provides a fantastic opportunity for seeing wildlife as the area is very open compared with the dense tropical forests.The three Giants visitor centre is currently being built to provide visitors with an opportunity to see the magnificent wildlife all around. The site is in a remote area of Paraguay and much still remains to be discovered, which makes this project particularly exciting.

Plantations in Paraguay

WLT and GUYRA

WLT believed this to be an important area for urgent land protection, not only because of its outstanding beauty and biodiversity, but also because it was under the threat of being drained and converted to agricultural land, especially for soya-plantations. The Three Giants Biological Station , located on the shores of the Black River in the Chaco-Pantanal Reserve, aims to accommodate researchers coming to the area as well as encouraging wildlife enthusiasts. It will also provide an income stream to ensure the long-term sustainability of the reserve and provide employment for local people.

More information

To learn more about the Chaco/Pantanal project in Paraguay and how you can support it, visit the main project page: Saving the Paraguayan Landscapes »

Read about writer and WLT Council member Simon Barnes visit to the Dry Chaco and Chaco-Pantanal Reserve in Saved: the wildest place on earth on Times Online.