This reserve honours the Gran Chaco, South America’s second largest forest, which sits just underneath the Amazon in terms of scale and value to the natural world.
Acres Saved
“Puro will support Natura Bolivia between 2024 and 2030 as a critical response to protect the American Chaco, facing environmental threats due to agribusiness expansion. The project aims to protect the remaining forests in Bolivia by bolstering monitoring systems and engaging with communities. WLT’s initial support will be built to establish institutional structures with the government and communities to ensure the long-term protection of newly created areas.”
Organisation:
Natura Bolivia
Reserve:
Fundación Natura Bolivia
We have saved:
3138 acres
Total reserve size:
736,183 acres
Biodiversity:
The neighbouring Kaa Iya (an IBA/KBA) region is representative of the Chaqueña plains area, with 89 species of snakes, 301 species of birds, 65 species of small mammals, and 59 species of large mammals including the Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla, VU) and Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris, VU). Kaa Iya, along with the corridor, also supports an estimated 1500 species of higher plants, including the Red Quebracho (Schinopsis lorentzii), Black Soto (Schinopsis cornuta), and Black Guayacán (Izozogia nelly). Guajukaka is nominated as a potential KBA due to its high number of Chaco Peccary (Catagonus wagneri, EN) (Endangered EDGE species) and its importance for the only Chacoan Guanaco in Bolivia.
The proposed new area to the south is located across the border from the Poszo Hona KBA and will likely possess many of the same species as well as potentially Jaguar (Panthera onca, NT), Crowned Solitary Eagle (Buteogallus coronatus, EN) and up to twelve armadillo species.
Habitat type:
The Gran Chaco region currently has three protected areas in its northern region, which are characterised by three diverse types of land cover, including xeric forests of the ancient alluvial plains of the Chaco (around 80%), forests of the sandy areas of the northwestern Chaco (8%), and wooded savannas of the sandy regions of the Chaco (11%).
Elevation:
Between 300 and 400 metres above sea level
Location:
The new area in the Chaco Plain is in southern Bolivia, downstream of the community of Ibibobo. The area’s physiographic features are related to the Pilcomayo River, as it is situated at the apex of the alluvial fan. Terraces and sandy ravines characterise this area.
Saving the Rainforest
We have been buying and protecting rainforest in partnership with World Land Trust, since 2005. Take a look at all the Puro Rainforest Reserves we have created together so far.
