Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Protecting The Peruvian Amazon

The only thing coming between the mahogany and cedar trees and other bountiful natural resources in the Amazon and the devious poachers who are anxious to pillage them is a man in a boat. Well, actually a few men, each in a canoe.

The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon is a wealth of plant and animal species. And, a small cadre of rangers in canoes is tasked with protecting this more than five million-acre expanse bordered by the MaraƱon River and the Puinahua Channel that branches off the Ucayali River.

Some of the creatures are quite unusual, including the 100-some-pound capybara, the world's largest rodent, the walking catfish that can breath air for up to 24 hours, are quite unusual, and the pink dolphins which are believed to bear this hue because of blood vessels that are close to the surface of the skin.

Find out more about the treasures these rangers are protecting in the article I just wrote for National Geographic Travel Intelligent Travel.






8 comments:

merr said...

What an incredible place to see and so good to hear that the creatures are being looked after and protected.

J The Travel Authority said...

Hi merr, It's a real struggle, that's for sure, to protect this bountiful area. I'm so proud of the work the rangers do.

ruth pennebaker said...

What an adventure to go there, Jeanine. The photos are incredible, too.

Jane Louise Boursaw said...

Excellent. Especially as we head towards Earth Day. I just saw "Rio 2" last night, the new family movie which incorporates a theme of protecting the Amazon rainforest. I love that it gets kids thinking early.

J The Travel Authority said...

Hi Ruth, Glad you enjoyed my photos. Every day in the Amazon presented a wealth of learning experiences.

J The Travel Authority said...

Hi Jane, Yes, we need to do more about educating kids regarding why it's so important to respect nature. Hope you enjoyed "Rio 2."

J The Travel Authority said...

Hi Jane, Yes, we need to do more about educating kids regarding why it's so important to respect nature. Hope you enjoyed "Rio 2."

J The Travel Authority said...

Hi Jane, Yes, we need to do more about educating kids regarding why it's so important to respect nature. Hope you enjoyed "Rio 2."