Brazil expands two Pantanal wildlife reserves by 257,531 acres
The expansion of the Pantanal Mato-Grossense National Park and Taiamã Ecological Station aims to safeguard jaguar habitats and ecosystems.
Brazil expanded two federal conservation units in the state of Mato Grosso by a combined 257,531 acres on March 23, 2026, according to the Times of India. The expansion includes the Pantanal Mato-Grossense National Park and the Taiamã Ecological Station.
The Pantanal Mato-Grossense National Park grew by 116,782 acres, bringing its total protected area to 450,653 acres. This area is considered a vital habitat for jaguars, which have an estimated density of eight animals per 100 square kilometers.
The Taiamã Ecological Station was increased by 140,749 acres, reaching a total of 168,323 acres. The Andes Amazon Fund stated that this reserve protects tropical forests, wetlands, and savannas used by jaguars, giant otters, and black howler monkeys.
The conservation group Re:wild, co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio, noted that its partners assisted in efforts to protect the country's natural landscapes. The group has also supported the protection of 326,180 acres in the Taquari Wetlands.
The expansion is intended to improve ecological connectivity and help mitigate the impact of wildfires. The Andes Amazon Fund reported that the number of fires in the Pantanal in 2024 increased by 529 per cent over the historical average.