Today is World Wildlife Day. In many parts of the world, elephants are wildlife, but they are not native to Brazil nor the Americas.
While elephants are the reason for our organization, we felt it was more appropriate to talk about our local wildlife here in Brazil for World Wildlife Day 2020. This year’s theme is “Sustaining all life on Earth,” and it encompasses all wild animal and plant species as key components of the world’s biodiversity.
THE CERRADO BIOME
The Sanctuary’s land is considered part of the Cerrado biome, which is a biodiversity hotspot. There are only 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots in the world. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, the area must contain at least 1,500 species of plants found nowhere else on Earth and have lost at least 70% of its primary native vegetation. In case you were wondering, the Cerrado has over 4,800 species of plants and vertebrates found nowhere else on this planet.
The Cerrado is a tropical biome that is composed of savannas and grasslands, as well as humid and dry forests. The land is truly ideal for elephants.
A great example of the interconnectivity of this region is a giant native palm, buriti. The buriti grows in this biome (& throughout sanctuary land). In addition to all the “normal” (& vital) things that trees do, this specific tree is preferred by macaws for their nests (and, yes, there are macaws here – red and the blue/yellow ones). The fruit of the buriti tree is a primary food source for tapirs, monkeys, and many fish throughout the region.
The property has giant anteaters (which can grow to be up to 7ft long!) as well. We also have so many less exciting things, but each one of them is still vital to our ecosystem.
A lot of the Cerrado Biome is being destroyed and becoming pasture (used for cattle grazing) and farmland (used for crops).
Even within a biome, there are many differences due to microclimates (and other variables). There are graduate students studying dung beetles in the area, and they discovered we have different dung beetles on our land than on neighboring farms.
OUR COMMITMENT TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR LAND
We do everything we can do to be good stewards of our land. Our team respects those who were here first – including bugs, frogs, snakes, plants, and trees. We design our fences to protect large trees. We are aware of our ecological footprints. It’s not just for World Wildlife Day; it’s for future generations of humans, flora, and fauna.
As the World Wildlife Day 2020 Website explains,
“Historically, we have depended on the constant interplay and interlinkages between all elements of the biosphere for all our needs: the air we breathe, the food we eat, the energy we use, and the materials we need for all purposes. However, unsustainable human activities and overexploitation of the species and natural resources that make up the habitats and ecosystems of all wildlife are imperiling the world’s biodiversity. Nearly a quarter of all species are presently at risk of going extinct in the coming decades, and their demise would only speed up the disappearance of countless others, putting us in danger as well.”
This is a crisis that doesn’t just face elephants, and it doesn’t just face the Cerrado Biome. As an organization, we are very fortunate to be able to impact the world around us and help biodiversity in such a vital region.
It’s not just us though – every single person impacts the world around them every day. Let us know the ways that you are encouraging biodiversity in your community or your lives! We’d love to hear about it!
—-
The video is a compilation – the first two scenes are tapirs (the second one is a tapir saying hi to a rooster. The chickens love to pick bugs off of anything that will let them). The third is monkeys in the tree canopy. Then there are a few photos of some unknown species (if you can ID them, message us and we will update the post) – there’s a tree frog, followed by some caterpillars (a beautiful moth laid eggs in Scott & Kat’s house, so they protected them until they hatched…and these tiny creatures were born). The last is a toad in an adult boot. To note, every single one of those photos was taken in the past two months! We aren’t kidding when we say this area is amazing!
March 4. 2020
Read More About the Sanctuary Wildlife Here →
Comments(8) 









- PO Box 2426
- Brentwood, TN 37024
- (615) 435-9523







- Ways to Support
- GSE Merchandise
- Privacy Policy
Title USD
Muriel Servaege says
March 3, 2020 at 4:25 pmInteresting.
Irene Olson says
March 3, 2020 at 4:44 pmGorgeous! Really makes you so aware of the beauty that is slowly being destroyed by humans, we should have no right to ruin these amazing creatures home! You are so lucky and so caring to be there and to persevere their environment xxoo ❤️❤️
Nancy Jordan says
March 3, 2020 at 5:16 pmGood to learn a little more about wildlife at sanctuary Brazil.
Kelejan says
March 3, 2020 at 6:04 pmIn my garden I breed composting worms to enhance my compost heap. They produce castings that help grow my veggies and flowers.
Karen says
March 4, 2020 at 12:04 amSo informative. Sharing.
When it looks like this it is “A wonderful world”. ?
? ? ? ???????
Carmen Licia Souza says
March 4, 2020 at 12:28 amI appreciate these wonderful post and video. I have worked for many years with small children in kindergarten schools and a very rewarding part of that work is to raise awareness among children about the exuberant nature of our planet. They especially love animals! We believe that sensitizing children about animals and plants is essential for the planet. SEB work is an amazing inspiration! Thank you!!!
Rosie P says
March 4, 2020 at 11:55 amI very much enjoyed reading this and have learned more about the sanctuary habitat and biodiversity hotspots. How the sanctuary blends with and supports this environment is miraculous. I think of it as a place of peace, a heaven on Earth. It’s a true haven where all the creatures and plants live in harmony….and even nutured and protected like the moth’s eggs in Kat and Scott’s home. Beautiful. So much respect for you all. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rachel says
March 5, 2020 at 5:43 pmWell now I’m even a bigger fan than I was before, and I was already of big fan of what you do and represent. I LOVE this intentionality of not only caring and loving on the eles. but having the same respect and thoughtfulness for all the flora and fauna on your land. Thanks doesn’t do much – but thanks. Thanks with all my heart.
Subscribe to our Blog
Shop & Support Elephants
Visit our online store and and help spread the word about the need for sanctuary for captive elephants.
Give Through Our Wishlist
Shop and choose a treat or much-needed item for one of the elephants.
Categories
Archives
Global Sanctuary for Elephants
Stay connected with our herd
MISSION: Protecting, rescuing, and providing sanctuary for elephants worldwide.
Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt, public charity status (EIN 46-3564818) and all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
© Global Sanctuary for Elephants. All Rights Reserved
Your ticket for the: World Wildlife Day 2020
World Wildlife Day 2020