Wildfires devastate Brazil’s Pantanal, threatening rare species

Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands are being ravaged by record wildfires, endangering countless animals, including vulnerable species like jaguars and giant anteaters.

Ana Ionova reports for The New York Times.

In short:

• The Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland, is burning due to severe droughts and climate change.
• The fires have killed or injured many animals, including rare jaguars and hyacinth macaws.
• Scientists fear the damage to the ecosystem may be irreversible if the fires continue.

Key quote:

“We’re watching the biodiversity of the Pantanal disappear into ash. It’s being burned to a crisp.”

— Gustavo Figueirôa, biologist, SOS Pantanal

Why this matters:

The Pantanal is one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions. Its destruction could lead to the extinction of several species and the loss of an irreplaceable natural environment.