Race to rescue animals as Brazilian wetlands burn

Photos

Login / Sign Up

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Gold / Forex

Photos News

Race to rescue animals as Brazilian wetlands burn

Pantanal, the biggest tropical wetlands on Earth, are threatening a nature reserve

Published: September 20, 2020 12:29 Agencies and compiled by Devadasan K P, Picture Editor

1 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 1-1600585212758 — Aerial view of cattle pictured grazing on burnt vegetation at the wetlands of Pantanal, near Transpantaneira park road in Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The Pantanal, the world's biggest tropical wetlands, is being devastated by record wildfires which are destroying vast areas of vegetation and threatening wildlife. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 17

teaser11-1600585255568 — Fires raging in the Pantanal, the biggest tropical wetlands on Earth, are threatening a nature reserve known as the home to the world's largest jaguar population. Above, a jaguar crouches on an area recently scorched by wildfires at the Encontro das Aguas park. Image Credit: AP

3 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 24-1600585266195 — An injured adult male jaguar sits on the bank of a river at the Encontros das Aguas Park, in the Porto Jofre region of the Pantanal. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 3-1600585215692 — An inmate fills his water bag in a lake to fight a wildfire alongside Mato Grosso State firefighters in the wetlands of the Pantanal. Wetlands are regions that are largely covered in water part or all of the year. The Pantanal, which is typically 80-percent underwater in wet season, is also known for its wealth of wildlife. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 4-1600585218604 — The annual rains, which start in October, bring huge numbers of fish into the floodplain, drawing numerous bird species and, in turn, predators going up the food chain. Above, a Mato Grosso State firefighter removes a turtle from a fire area in the wetlands. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 6-1600585224539 — An Ariranha giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) calf is fed at the Animal Rescue Center of Pantanal wetlands, in Mato Grosso state. The Pantanal is having its worst drought in 47 years.Rainfall plunged by half for the period from January to May, usually the height of rainy season. Researchers are still studying the factors driving the drought. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 7-1600585227369 — Climate change is a top suspect. Studies show deforestation in the Amazon is having an impact on rainfall in other regions by shrinking the rainforest's so-called "flying rivers": clouds of mist that dump water across a large swathe of South America.The fires are also being driven by the conversion of land for agricultural use and the introduction of non-native plant species more susceptible to fire. Above, buffalos are seen on a lake at the wetlands of the Pantanal. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 8-1600585230104 — A woman takes a picture of a Gaviao Carcara, scientific name Caracara Plancus) at Mato Grosso Pantanal Hotel in the wetlands of Pantanal. Image Credit: AFP

9 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 9-1600585236805 — A volunteer works to douse a fire on Transpantaneira road in the Pantanal wetlands near Pocone, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The number of fires in Brazil's Pantanal, the world's biggest tropical wetlands, has more than doubled in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period last year, according to data released by a state institute. Image Credit: AP

10 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 10-1600585240346 — Representantives of farmers, NGO's and local government are seen awaiting the beginning of a meeting with politicians to talk about the record fires during the dry season at the wetlands of the Pantanal. Image Credit: AFP

11 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 11-1600585233179 — Farm workers and Mato Grosso State firefighters open a line of defense to fight a fire in the wetlands. Image Credit: AFP

12 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 13-1600585243359 — A Giant otter pup (known as Ariranha in Brazil, scientific name Pteronura brasiliensis) receives treatment from a veterinarian at the Animal Rescue Center in the wetlands. Image Credit: AFP

13 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 15-1600585246692 — An estimated 23,500 square kilometers, more than 10 percent of the Pantanal, have gone up in smoke since January. There have been a record-shattering 14,764 fires in the Brazilian Pantanal this year, according to satellite data from Brazil's National Space Research Institute (INPE) - already an annual record, and increase of 214 percent from the same period last year. Above, farmers wait for the beginning of a meeting with politicians to talk about the record fires during the dry season at the wetlands. Image Credit: AFP

14 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 18.JPG-1600585258633 — Disruptions to the water cycle threaten its delicate ecosystem, whose famous wildlife includes the endangered hyacinth macaw and shrinking population of jaguars. Image Credit: AFP

15 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 16-1600585249810 — The Pantanal is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, with nearly 1,300 animal species and more than 3,500 plant species, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Above, buffalos are guided by cowboys at the wetlands of the Pantanal, Transpantaneira park road in Mato Grosso state, Brazil. Image Credit: AFP

16 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 20-1600585261506 — A Mato Grosso State firefighter removes a snake from a fire spot at the wetlands. Image Credit: AFP

17 of 17

TROPICAL WETLAND 21-1600585264436 — A deer (called in Brazil as Veado) receives treatment at the Animal Rescue Center at the wetland of Pantanal. Image Credit: AFP

Latest In

How to visit Qasr Al Watan, which reopens today

17 minutes ago
Robert Redford's son, James, dies of liver cancer

31 minutes ago
China: Gas explosion leaves 4 dead, 1 hurt in coal mine

37 minutes ago
Investors will not instantly switch to sustainability

40 minutes ago
Photos: Kenya's lakes rise to destructive highs

42 minutes ago

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.