{"id":1584,"date":"2026-02-13T05:02:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T09:02:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/?p=1584"},"modified":"2026-02-13T05:22:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T09:22:33","slug":"1584","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/2026\/02\/1584\/","title":{"rendered":"Filling the Gap"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=\u00bb1&#8243; _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbet_body_layout\u00bb][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbet_body_layout\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4&#8243; _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbet_body_layout\u00bb][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DSC01506-1-scaled.jpg\u00bb title_text=\u00bbDSC01506 (1)\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.22.0&#8243; _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb hover_enabled=\u00bb0&#8243; global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbet_body_layout\u00bb sticky_enabled=\u00bb0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb custom_padding=\u00bb||0px|||\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbet_body_layout\u00bb]<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Santa Cruz de la Sierra, August 2025<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.-\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There are places where nature still breathes almost untouched. Where water sources feed the lives of entire communities, forests weave corridors for wildlife to move through, and the silent presence of the jaguar reminds us of the value of conserving what we still have.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Aware of this value, the Autonomous Municipal Government of El Carmen Rivero Torrez took a historic step by enacting the Municipal Autonomous Law creating the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cMonte Carmelo\u201d Municipal Protected Area, covering 87,173 hectares<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. This decision responds to the urgent need to protect water recharge areas, key biological corridors, and emblematic species such as the jaguar\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(Panthera onca).<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Located at a strategic point in the Pantanal-Chaco landscape (PACHA), in the municipality of El Carmen Rivero\u00a0T\u00f3rrez, it lies at the convergence of three ecosystems of\u00a0high\u00a0ecological importance: the Pantanal, the world&#8217;s largest wetland; the Gran Chaco, the planet&#8217;s most extensive dry forest; and the\u00a0Chiquitano\u00a0Dry Forest. El Carmen\u00a0Rivero\u00a0T\u00f3rrez\u00a0is the link in a system of protected areas of high environmental value\u00a0such as San Mat\u00edas, the\u00a0Tucabaca\u00a0Valley, Kaa-Iya, and\u00a0Otuquis, as well as other protected areas in Brazil and Paraguay, forming a natural corridor on a continental scale.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Monte Carmelo was created with three major conservation\u00a0objectives:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\u2022\" data-font=\"Aptos\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Aptos&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u2022&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"0\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To protect the water recharge areas and springs that supply local communities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\u2022\" data-font=\"Aptos\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Aptos&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u2022&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To conserve forests that are strategic for water and biological connectivity, which are essential for biodiversity.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\u2022\" data-font=\"Aptos\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Aptos&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u2022&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ensure the continued presence of the jaguar, a key species for the health of the PACHA landscape ecosystems.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The establishment of this protected area strengthens ecological connectivity between Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay, linking 28 protected areas and indigenous territories that together total more than 12 million hectares of continuous conservation: the largest protected area on the continent in this region. This effort is aligned with the Pantanal 2022\u20132030 tri-national strategy, which prioritizes the integrated management of protected areas to strengthen jaguar corridors at the national, departmental, municipal, and community levels.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The process of creating the Monte Carmelo Municipal Protected Area was the result of several years of technical and participatory work. Within the framework of the Pantanal Ecoregional Action Plan, with financial support from WWF Netherlands, WWF Bolivia\u00a0established\u00a0an institutional alliance with the Municipal Government of El Carmen Rivero Torrez. Together with the Bolivian Society for Environmental Law (SBDA), a study was conducted to\u00a0identify\u00a0and classify the municipality&#8217;s strategic water resources, which highlighted the Monte Carmelo area as fundamental for water supply.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cMonte Carmelo is an area with essential characteristics for water infiltration and aquifer recharge. The protected area conserves water resources for its population, while we are connecting ecosystems for other species,\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0says Victor Hugo Magallanes, Head of Pantanal\u00a0Project\u00a0at WWF-Bolivia.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">At the same time, the Wildlife Connect initiative, active since 2022,\u00a0identified\u00a0Monte Carmelo as a key point for jaguar connectivity within the PACHA landscape, which covers territories in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. In 2023, a camera trap study led by SBDA confirmed the presence of jaguars in the area, reinforcing its value as an ecological corridor. The results of this research were published in\u00a0Miradas\u00a0Ocultas\u00a0(2025), which reveals the biological richness of the region.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rafael Antelo, leader of WWF&#8217;s Wildlife Connect Initiative, said:\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00abThis protected area is very important because it closes a gap between protected areas that extend from Brazil in the north to Paraguay in the south. It is part of a project we have been working on for years with specialists in jaguar connectivity, which culminates in moving from\u00a0the science\u00a0developed with experts to key actions in the territory with the declaration of a protected area.\u00bb<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Both initiatives joined forces to promote the creation of a more significant protected area, integrating the\u00a0objectives\u00a0of water resource conservation and connectivity. Free, prior, and informed consent was a fundamental pillar in this process. The communities of Ocho Hermanos, Carmen Viejo, and Carmen Uno gave their consent, voluntarily expressing their decision to join the conservation effort by incorporating their territories within the boundaries of the Monte Carmelo Municipal Protected Area. This reaffirms that conservation is most effective when it is built from and with\u00a0communities and\u00a0highlights the importance of continuing to strengthen participatory processes in local governance.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We highlight the committed leadership of local authorities, especially the mayor of El Carmen Rivero\u00a0T\u00f3rrez, Celvy Orellana, Rosangela M\u00e9ndez, president of the Municipal Council, and Estefano Justiniano, director of the Environment and Risk Management\u00a0Unit. Their vision and determination made this important achievement for conservation and sustainable development in the municipality possible.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00abThis land not only produces,\u00a0it\u00a0also\u00a0preserves. From that preservation comes our livelihood, our identity, and\u00a0a clear vision\u00a0for the future. This decision is a legacy for future generations, so that our children can grow up with this benefit. I am deeply grateful to the Municipal Council and the communities, the protagonists of this dream, who said yes, we want a protected area.\u00bb<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Said Celvy Orellana, mayor of El Carmen Rivero\u00a0T\u00f3rrez.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Monte Carmelo symbolizes a living bridge between the water that sustains its people and the forests that provide refuge for wildlife. A courageous step that fills a gap in the PACHA Landscape conservation network and sows hope that future generations will inherit a territory in balance, where life continues to flow connected.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbet_body_layout\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4&#8243; _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbet_body_layout\u00bb][et_pb_text module_class=\u00bbhide_es\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbet_body_layout\u00bb][\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=\u00bbhide_en\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00bbet_body_layout\u00bb][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Santa Cruz de la Sierra, August 2025.-\u00a0There are places where nature still breathes almost untouched. Where water sources feed the lives of entire communities, forests weave corridors for wildlife to move through, and the silent presence of the jaguar reminds us of the value of conserving what we still have.\u00a0 Aware of this value, the [&hellip;]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1598,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[],"tags":[],"wf_post_folders":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1584"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1584"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1584\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1591,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1584\/revisions\/1591"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1598"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1584"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1584"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1584"},{"taxonomy":"wf_post_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildlifeconnect.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_post_folders?post=1584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}