12:37 | Loreto (Loreto region), Jul. 19.
Peru's natural protected areas agency Sernanp revealed results of a major biological monitoring operation carried out at Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in Loreto region, thus confirming the excellent state of conservation of this protected area.
For two years, more than 30 camera traps hidden between Samiria and Tacshacocha control and surveillance points —an area covering 200 km2— captured the extraordinary wildlife that thrives in this part of the
Amazon rainforest.
Supported by FundAmazonia, the monitoring sought to collect jungle wildlife information to assess changes in species in the long term, as well as implement conservation measures and strategies accordingly, Sernanp explained.
Infrared camera footage revealed a wide range of species such as giant otter, deer, Central American agouti, anteater, armadillo, puma, trumpeter, among others.
Monitored by
Pacaya Samiria's rangers, the camera traps also corroborated locals' sightings of "otorongos" (jaguars), the largest felines in the Americas and the third in the world.
Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is a massive wetland stretching over Loreto, Requena, Ucayali and Alto Amazonas provinces in Peru's northeastern Loreto region.
Created in 1972, the protected zone was also one of Peru's first areas to gain Ramsar site status in 1992.
(END) NDP/LZD/DHT/MVB
Published: 7/19/2017