In Brazil, initiatives are underway to monitor and conserve endangered species such as jaguars, dolphins, and maned wolves across diverse ecosystems, including the Pantanal, Cerrado, Caatinga, and Atlantic Forest.
According to the "Living Planet Report 2024" by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), global wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73% over the past 50 years. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency of conservation efforts.
Since 2016, the Instituto Homem Pantaneiro (IHP) has been actively engaged in research and environmental education programs. One of its key projects, Felinos Pantaneiros, focuses on studying the jaguar population in the Serra do Amolar, a biodiversity hotspot. The project monitors a 200-kilometer stretch of the BR-262 highway to identify safe passages for wildlife, aiming to reduce roadkill incidents. Between 2016 and January 2023, 17 jaguars were reported killed on this road, highlighting the need for intervention.
In the Caatinga region, the Amigos da Onça program, linked to the NGO Instituto para a Conservação dos Carnívoros Neotropicais, aims to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. The program has implemented educational initiatives in 35 communities to discourage hunting of jaguars, which often occurs in retaliation for livestock losses.
Meanwhile, in Cananéia, São Paulo, the Projeto Boto-Cinza has been monitoring the local population of the endangered gray dolphin since the 1990s. Recent estimates suggest around 400 individuals inhabit the area. The project has received significant funding from Petrobras, totaling R$ 1.7 million annually since 2023.
Additionally, the Parque Vida Cerrado is focused on the conservation of maned wolves, collaborating with local farms to monitor and rehabilitate these animals. The program has successfully rehabilitated and released wolves, including a female named Caliandra, who has since given birth to three pups.
These conservation efforts highlight the importance of community involvement and collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure the survival of these remarkable species in Brazil's rich biodiversity.