Natural World Safaris works alongside numerous conservation organisations; helping to preserve wildlife and the natural world. As pioneers of jaguar conservation in the Brazilian Pantanal, the team at Onçafari have spearheaded a project geared towards protecting and studying the species while promoting ecotourism.

Forest fires happen in the Pantanal during the dry season, and they usually pass quickly through the fields without major consequences. Unfortunately, this year was different. Exacerbated by the disastrous wildfires that have spread throughout the Amazon in 2019, in recent weeks Onçafari's ecological refuge has suffered the biggest fire in its history. After weeks of courageous efforts by staff, neighbours, firefighters, the army and the police, the fire was finally defeated, but the damage is extensive. It is estimated that 60% of the land in the 53,000-hectare Caiman Ecological Refuge has been destroyed, and with it some of the resident wildlife. 

In addition to monitoring the important jaguar population that calls this land home, the Onçafari Project is also responsible for a jaguar rewilding initiative, which has already brought success. The Onçafari team use a semi-wild enclosure to rehabilitate rescued jaguars, which allows the big cats to regain their strength ready for life out in the Pantanal wilderness. Unfortunately, one of the most devastating developments of the Pantanal fires was the destruction of this enclosure; although not before a heroic rescue effort brought its current tenant – a jaguar named Jatobazinho – to safety. 

Because we hold Onçafari's tremendous work in such high regard and feel passionately about jaguar conservation in the Pantanal, Natural World Safaris would like to lend a hand towards raising sufficient funds that would enable us to rebuild the enclosure. 

Natural World Safaris will be making our own donation as a company, and as concerned clients have been in touch, we wanted to also provide a way for others to contribute to the cause. We hope that many of you will join us in contributing whatever you can to this project, which is so close to our hearts.

For more information on the Onçafari Project and the effects of the Pantanal fires, visit Onçafari's YouTube channel using the link below: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnQ-vR4bjkQ1zDDMx3v6xag

All images come courtesy of the Onçafari Project.