Brazil
The richness of rainforests
The Amazon rainforest covers more than one billion hectares, covering areas of Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and the eastern region of the Andes of Ecuador and Peru. If the Amazon was a country, it would be the ninth largest in the world.
The Amazon rainforest has been described as the "lung of our planet", since more than 20% of the world's oxygen is produced there.
More than half of the 10 million species of plants, animals and insects in the world live in rainforests. A fifth of the world's fresh water is in the Amazon basin. At least 80% of the diet in developed countries originates in the rainforest. Its abundant gifts to the world include fruits such as avocados, coconuts, figs, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, bananas, guavas, pineapples, mangoes and tomatoes, vegetables such as corn, potatoes, rice, squash and sweet potatoes, spices such as black pepper, cayenne, cocoa, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, sugar canes, turmeric, coffee and vanilla and nuts such as Brazil nuts and cashews.
Observation of flora and fauna
Brazil is home to an amazing variety of fauna and flora in incomparable settings to observe nature. Winter (from June to September) is probably the best time to go. Despite its urban façade, Rio has natural attractions such as the Tijuca National Park, home of coatis, ocelots, three-toed sloths and several species of monkeys. However, more apes (including howler monkeys) can be seen in Ilha Grande.
On the list of every naturalist should be the Pantanal, where river otters, alligators, monkeys, jaguars, anacondas and capybaras, as well as numerous species of birds, live. The Amazon River, of course, has many places for discovering the wild side of Brazil, from watching pink river dolphins around Santarém, to glimpsing at toucans near Manaus. For more information on wildlife observation: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s40-avistamientos
Sea turtles are making their comeback in Brazil, and it is possible to see their hatchlings in places like Praia do Forte and Seco Mangue. Whales can be seen in different areas of Brazil, such as the coral reef of the Marinho de Abrolhos Praia do Rosa National Park, although, by far, the best place to observe marine life is Fernando de Noronha. In Bonito, with its crystalline rivers, you can dive and observe different types of fish such as meter long catfish. The nearby canyons are also home to numerous scarlet macaws. For more information on how to dive responsibly: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s91
Popular festivals with animals
Although bullfights are banned in Brazil, other extremely cruel popular festivities are still organized, such as the famous “Farra do Boi” where oxen are tortured and murdered in a cruel way.
Rodeos
The rodeo is a traditional activity that is particularly known in the United States and Mexico but has an important tradition in Brazil as well, where, in fact, the second largest rodeo in the world, also known as La Festa do Peao (Barretos, Sao Paulo), is celebrated in August.
Wild bulls are the main attraction of the rodeo, and during the bull riding competition the goal is to stay on top of the animal for eight seconds.
The Festa do Peao began 58 years ago when a group of riders organized a small horse dressage competition among friends. From this modest start, the festival has become a world-famous spectacle. This type of events can cause serious injuries to the animals involved, and fractures of the back, neck, tail, spine, trachea and horns, internal bleeding, lung perforations, friction injuries and tendon tears are frequent, among others. Almost all animals that are forced to participate in the rodeos are sent directly to the slaughterhouse. Even the most gentle horse or bull will kick when a girth is tied tightly to its abdomen or its genitals are punctured. The pain caused by the girth pinching on their genitals, abdomen and groin causes them to shake while kicking violently. Electric batons, burning ointments and whips are often used to irritate and enrage the animals before the show.
Among the problems of this practice is not only the fact that it causes animal suffering but also multiple injuries, which the people who want to be noticed and participate actively in the show get.
Other problems to have in mind:
Recommended projects and rescue centers:
Here is a list of local NGOs that can be contacted in case you want to make a donation, a complaint or find an animal that needs help in Brazil:?
Forum Nacional de Proteção e Defesa Animal
Associação Brasileira pela Causa Animal - ABC Animal
