Skip to content Skip to footer

Creating and Maintaining an oasis for Wildlife in the Beni Savannas

In 2008, Armonía established the Barba Azul Nature Reserve and in doing so we created the world’s first protected area for the Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw, safeguarded the most important Buff-breasted Sandpiper migration stop-over site in Bolivia, and saved large areas of old growth savanna that harbor a wealth of endangered and endemic wildlife.

This ecoregion contains 5 distinctive habitats: savanna, treed savanna (cerrado), forest islands, gallery forests and marsh wetlands. Barba Azul Nature Reserve stretches across 27,180 acres (11,000 hectares) and is a safe haven for Jaguars, Pumas, Maned Wolves, Ocelots, Giant Anteaters and Black Howler Monkeys, along with many other species.

The Reserve is also home to 325 bird species, with records of 179 birds seen in a day. The tall grasses of the Reserve protect rare savanna species, like the Cock-tailed Tyrant, Sharp-tailed Tyrant and Black-masked Finch, as well as abundant populations of the Near Threatened Orinoco Goose and Greater Rhea.

Peril in the Beni Savannas

The Beni Savanna and its wealth of wildlife is under threat. The forests surrounding the reserve suffer from logging, intensive cattle ranching, and the new threat of soy farming, which is more destructive than ranching. The grasslands are depleted by overgrazing and regular burning. Habitat protection requires constant prevention and innovation in order to minimize the harmful effects of these practices.

Keepers of the Wild

It is impossible to ensure the long-term, ongoing protection of the Barba Azul Nature Reserve without employing Reserve rangers, who are out in the field physically protecting the Beni Savanna and its wildlife. Miguel Martinez and Jesus Arauz have their work cut out for them patrolling the Reserve, creating and maintaining firebreaks, trails, and fencing; monitoring the macaw populations and documenting wildlife sightings; assisting researchers; and a multitude of other tasks large and small. Miguel has a special sense for detecting mammals and Jesus excels at making the impossible look easy through his capable use of heavy machinery.  The rangers play a vital role in tackling the main conservation issues – hunting, stray cattle, and fire – and are key to reaching the overall conservation goals of Barba Azul.

We thank our UK partners, the World Land Trust, who fund Miguel’s salary and equipment through their Keepers of the Wild program.

Towards sustainability

Barba Azul, A dream vacation destination

The Barba Azul Reserve has several strategies in place with the goal of sustainability. One strategy is ecotourism, and Barba Azul is a place like no other! The flight in from Trinidad or Santa Ana treats the visitor to panoramic views of the region before landing to sample the amazing details up close. For the nature lover, it won’t disappoint: the birds and impressive mammals are obvious highlights, but the wonders also include butterflies and dragonflies; a variety of vegetation and landscape; clear, starry skies; and gorgeous sunsets over the Omi River. Tourists can experience first-hand the reality of conservation and feel good that their relaxing vacation contributes in a tangible way.

By visiting the Reserve, tourists contribute directly to the ongoing conservation of this unique savanna habitat and its wildlife. If you would like more information about visiting the Barba Azul Nature Reserve, please visit our ecotourism section.

Sustainable Ranching

While cattle ranching has long been the perceived enemy of conservation, the Beni Savannas landscape faces a relatively new peril: the advancing agricultural frontier as natural grasslands are converted to soy or rice fields. These fields can only maintain 35% of their original biodiversity. With this encroaching threat, cattle ranching as an economic model quickly becomes the lesser evil. Low-impact ranching in this natural grassland ecosystem can preserve up to 95% of the entire natural biodiversity. With appropriate load and management, the presence of cattle can even mimic the role that megafauna previously inhabiting the area played, such as seed dispersal and grazing maintenance, thereby perpetuating natural landscape characteristics on which wildlife depends. 

Three main conservation goals at Barba Azul now incorporate cattle: the establishment of an eco-friendly model ranch; the initiation of the “Beni Grassland Alliance,” an educational network for ranchers to better understand eco-friendly beef production; and income generation through certified beef sales contributing to Reserve sustainability. 

Ongoing Needs

The Barba Azul Nature Reserve program has achieved great successes, but must continue its conservation efforts to save the Beni Savanna from destruction.

The program urgently needs support to increase the size of the Reserve, to fund additional staff to improve and protect it, and to attract visitors that will support its ongoing conservation.

We thank the Friends of Barba Azul Nature Reserve for their generous and continued support in this mission.

If you would like to support the Barba Azul Nature Reserve program – to safeguard this Critically Endangered habitat and its wealth of wildlife – please donate.

We thank our international partners and individual donors for the achievements of Barba Azul Nature Reserve program – we cannot save the species or empower our people without your generous support. Thank you.

Best Choice for Creatives
This Pop-up Is Included in the Theme
Purchase Now