Watching Wildlife: A Brazilian Amazon Example

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ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO

GLOBAL ECOTOURISM CONFERENCE OSLO – 14-16 May 2007 NORWAY


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION


184.900 hectares ( 456.887 acres)


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example

Why is the Cristalino State Park so important? The rich biodiversity of the region which is considered to have the greatest alpha diversity in the world: – 06 different natural communities: - “terra firme” forest ; – Semi-decidous forest ; – “Igapó” forest ; – “Varzea” forest; – Rock outcrops & “ campos rupestres” – Cristalino river


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example Why is the Cristalino State Park so important? - strategic location : transition zone > “cerrado”(savannah) in the south & Amazon rainforest > north - barrier effect of Madeira, Xingu, Teles Pires & Tapajós rivers: high level of endemisms - defined as highest priority area for conservation (Macapá Seminar-1999)


Areas With the Highest Priority for Conservation Macapรก Seminar /1999


WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example

The recent threat: * The Mato Grosso State deputies proposal to reduce 27.000 hectares( aprox. 67.000 acres) to the Cristalino State Park


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example

The worldwide response: • The existence of a pioneer ecotourism project in a private reserve bordering the park raised the awareness of the scientific community and ecotourists: • The mobilization of a worldwide opinion: a massive campaign and more than 160.000 e:mails were sent to the governor Blairo Maggi and the state deputies • The state deputies have now been blocked and are under investigation of the “Ministério Público”( Public Ministery )


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example

How can wildlife watching help the conservation of a broad landscape? • The awareness raised by ecotourism can create a powerful voice for conservation • Example: Cristalino State Park


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example

How can wildlife watching help the conservation of a broad landscape? • The awareness created by the ecotourism project in the region is helping the creation of a huge corridor of protected areas comprising aprox. 30 million hectares • A joint effort of the local NGOs( Fundação Cristalino, Instituto Centro de Vida) • international NGOs: FFI, WWF • Ministério do Meio Ambiente- MMA (Federal Environmental Agency)



ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example

WHAT’S THE ISSUE? • The need to protect the remaining ecosystems versus “development” • Few mechanisms currently exist to create commercial value in the forests while conserving them • Sustainable use : ecotourism as a successful mechanism


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example

WHY WILDLIFE WATCHING? • Wildlife watching is one of the most attractive ways to raise awareness • Great demand from people prepared to pay for it


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example Bird Watching


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example Primates


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example Butterfly Watching


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example Wildlife Watching


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example Reptiles & Amphibians


ECOTOURISM WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example

How can wildlife watching help the conservation of a site?

• The private ecotourism project at Cristalino demonstrated to the federal & state government the significance of this forest. Without this initiative the Cristalino State Park would not exist; • To make both areas successful conservation not exploitation must be the guiding philosophy


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example

How can wildlife watching help the conservation of a site? The concept of minimum impact : Use of towers Tree houses Canopy walkways Platforms Carefully managed trails / canoe riding


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example How can wildlife watching help the conservation of the site? The concept of minimum impact: Use of towers


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example How can wildlife watching help the conservation of the site? The concept of minimum impact: Wildlife watching: tree houses/ canopy walkways


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example How can wildlife watching help the conservation of the site? The concept of minimum impact: River routes


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example How can wildlife watching help the conservation of the site? The concept of minimum impact: Carefully managed set of trails


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example How can wildlife watching help the conservation of the site? The concept of minimum impact: • Local & Volunteer Guides • Telescopes • Binoculars • Bug Light


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example

• Impacts of the Cristalino lodge upon wildlife: - We believe that our impact has been positive: • the forest is protected and it is still there • Biodiversity remains substantially unchanged • Human impact has been minimal


ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE WATCHING AT CRISTALINO A Brazilian Amazon Example What the experts have to say: “Cristalino Jungle Lodge is a trip highlight . The Forest Reserve is one of the richest sites for birds in all of Brazil...... A number of birds are known only from this region and nowhere else in the world....VENT is proud to have pioneered birding trips to what is destined to become a premier destination for tropical birders". Dr. Kevin Zimmer

" Cristalino Jungle Lodge is simply one of the best places in all of Amazonia to immerse your self in the forest and the greatest avifauna on earth." Bret Whitney - Field Guides

"I have visited rainforests all over the planet, but have never had

such extraordinary views of canopy-dwelling birds. It is worth visiting Cristalino just to see the tower! Every trip to the tower is different, and every visit is a memorable one. ... “ Dr. Frank Lambert, Voluntary Guide, 2004



CRISTALINO JUNGLE LODGE ALTA FLORESTA MATO GROSSO- BRASIL www.cristalinolodge.com.br vitoria@cristalinolodge.com.br +55 (66) 3512-7100


FUNDAÇÃO ECOLÓGICA CRISTALINO www.fundacaocristalino.org.br Vitória Da Riva Carvalho President vitoria@fundacaocristalino.org.br Renato Aparecido de Farias Director renato@fundacaocristalino.org.br Fone: +55 66 3521 8513 Alta Floresta – Mato Grosso - Brasil


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