These Colombian Cattle Breeders Have Become Amazon Wildlife Conservationists

Deep in the rural region of San José de Guaviare, Colombia, a once cattle-ridden pasture has transformed into a vibrant 40-hectare jungle teeming with wildlife, thanks to the Zapata family. Just ten years ago, livestock farming dominated this terrain, but an environmental vision led the Zapatas to alter their path dramatically.

Source: euronews/Youtube

In 1997, Dora Sánchez, co-founder of La Nupana nature reserve, relocated her family to this uninhabited stretch of jungle. Initially following traditional livestock farming like many other settlers, the landscape was stark and lifeless. However, in 2012, Dora embarked on a daring experiment – to rewild her 56 hectares of pasture with native trees. This ecological shift brought an astonishing regeneration, drawing a diverse array of wildlife back to the land and prompting the Zapatas to trade their cows for conservation.

Today, Dora, her husband, and her daughter run La Nupana nature reserve, a thriving sanctuary that houses a multitude of rescued animals. Their family home and backyard team with over 60 creatures – monkeys, birds, armadillos, and even puma cubs. Most of these animals were rescued from illegal pet owners or wildlife traffickers, while others are victims of deforestation, a pressing issue that claimed 25,000 hectares of forest in the region in 2021.

The Zapatas’ mission extends beyond mere sheltering. They actively rehabilitate the animals, aiming to reintroduce them back into the wild, though it’s not always possible due to the animals’ survival skills or lack thereof. They also work closely with local authorities, including the Corporation for the Sustainable Development of the North and East Amazon, to protect southern Colombia’s fauna.

La Nupana stands as a shining example of transformational Conservation and a testament to the power of individual action. In the words of Dora, “We must preserve and protect the forest because it is the source of life.” Indeed, their remarkable journey shows us the potential of embracing nature’s capacity for resilience and regeneration.

Meat consumption leading to habitat exploitation is one of the main drivers of environmental destruction. Shifting to a more plant-based diet and curbing meat consumption can tremendously help the planet. The United Nations released a report warning countries about the dangers of climate change and has urged people to eat more plant-based as a way to curb it. We highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 20,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, plant-based/vegan and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

To learn more about the fires and deforestation in the Amazon, please see The Amazon Rainforest is Burning at Alarming Rates, 300 Football Fields Worth of Flames Caused by Our Snacks, and Beef Production is Killing the Amazon Rainforest.

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