Brazil expands Pantanal Matogrossense National Park to protect wetlands

Brazilian environmental authorities increased the size of the Pantanal Matogrossense National Park by 185 square miles. This expansion grew the park by more than 25 percent of its original 523 square mile area.

The expansion protects the Pantanal, which is the world's largest area of flooded grasslands. This biome serves as a home to hundreds of species, including jaguars, giant otters, and tapirs.

The Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation identified specific biological corridors that allow wildlife to move in and out of the park. These pathways help maintain genetic diversity for endangered species and require cooperation with local landowners to manage successfully. The move addresses long-standing requests from environmentalists to protect critical breeding grounds. Because the region is a wetland of international importance under the United Nations Ramsar Convention, officials aim to shield the land from threats like fires and droughts.

Protecting the rivers and the landscape helps the land maintain the sponginess needed to remain resilient against environmental changes.