Brazil’s Pantanal Wetlands Ravaged by Fires, Threatening Jaguars and Ecosystem

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Firefighting teams in the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil prematurely celebrated the cessation of fire season in an early November Facebook post. However, their relief was short-lived. The first half of November witnessed devastating fires across nearly 770,000 hectares (about 1.9 million acres) of the Pantanal, the largest tropical wetlands globally, according to preliminary data from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. These fires represent 65% of the total fire damage in the region for the year.

A jaguar was observed in a recently fire-affected area of the Encontro das Aguas park, near Pocone, Mato Grosso state, on November 17, 2023. This incident underscores the widespread wildfires currently plaguing the Pantanal biome. The National Institute for Space Research in Brazil reported a staggering increase in fires this November, with 3,380 incidents compared to only 69 in the same period last year, setting a new record since 1998.

The Pantanal is a biodiversity hotspot, hosting a plethora of species, including 159 mammals. It is particularly famous for its jaguar population. The Encontro das Aguas park, straddling the Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states, has seen its lush greenery turn to dark brown. A Big Big News team reported seeing a jaguar by the riverbanks amidst the charred landscape. Local resident Leonisio da Silva, 53, expressed his concerns about the potential displacement of jaguars due to the ongoing fires.

Wildfires have also been observed near the Transpantaneira, or MT-060, a key road through the Pantanal, near Pocone, Mato Grosso state. The state government of Mato Grosso do Sul has initiated a joint task force and declared a state of emergency in four municipalities heavily affected by the fires. Mato Grosso state has also bolstered its firefighting efforts and plans to invest 6.4 million reais (about 1.3 million dollars) in the region.

The fires have resulted in reduced visibility, leading to the temporary closure of the BR-262 highway and a small plane crash. Local authorities’ response to the crisis has been criticized for being slow. Veterinarian Enderson Barreto from Porto Jofre lamented the lack of timely action despite early warnings, noting the now uncontrollable situation.

Barreto, who assists in both animal rescue and firefighting, described the impact of the fires as “unmeasurable.” While the Pantanal’s vegetation can recover quickly with rain, intense fires leave surviving wildlife without a habitat. The current fires, though not as severe as those in 2020, are causing significant damage to the ecosystem, particularly affecting small reptiles and amphibians, crucial for ecological balance.

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Contributions from Jeantet in Rio de Janeiro.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pantanal wildfires

More about Pantanal wildfires

• Pantanal Wetlands
• Brazil Wildfires
• Jaguar Conservation
• Ecological Impact of Fires
• Mato Grosso State Response
• Wildlife Threats from Wildfires
• Firefighting Challenges in Pantanal
• Environmental Effects of Pantanal Fires