An "amphibious mouse" with partially webbed feet that eats aquatic insects was among 27 new species discovered during a 2022 expedition to Peru's Amazon, according to Conservation International. Scientists also discovered a spiny mouse, a squirrel, eight types of fish, three amphibians and 10 types of butterflies, Trond Larsen, head of Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program, told Reuters this week. A specimen of spiny mouse (Scolomys sp.), a species discovered on a Conservation International Rapid Assessment expedition into the Alto Mayo Landscape in Peru, is pictured, June 16, 2022. Conservation International/photo by Ronald Diaz/Handout via REUTERS He added that another 48 species found by investigators were potentially new, but needed further study. The...
Read MoreCategory: दक्षिण अमेरिका
travel articles and news about countries and destinations in South America or Latin America
A giant frog species that hopped alongside dinosaurs and is considered a "living fossil" is now losing ground in its native Chile as climate change and human intervention damage its habitat. The Calyptocephallela gayi, or Helmeted Water Toad, is one of the largest frogs in the world, growing up to over 30 cm (1 foot) in length and weighing up to 1 kg (2.2 lbs). Environmental researchers extract genetic material from a Chilean frog's leg (Calyptocephalella gayi) in a wetland in the middle of a neighbourhood in the city of Quilpue, Chile, December 8, 2024. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido The amphibian has seen little genetic variation for millions of years, but now its future is at risk, scientists say. "It's sad that a species that managed to coexist with dinosaurs, that managed to res...
Read MoreShort, and dark, and young, and tired, the seal on Ipanema was basking ... The fur seal on Rio de Janeiro’s iconic beach was turning heads of locals and tourists alike Wednesday morning — though not for the same reasons as the famous “Girl from Ipanema.” A fur seal stands on Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) The animal is often spotted along Brazil’s coastline during winter and spring, but rarely is it seen this time of year, a few days before the start of the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, said Suelen Santiago, a biologist who works at the company that monitors the beach. “This year we’re having atypical situations,” she said. Cordoned off by tape and flags, the young male seal became the main attraction on one of the world’s ...
Read MoreOver a thousand years ago, the hundreds of giant geoglyphs carved into the desert in northern Chile were a bustling scene. They marked sources of water in the vast arid landscape and were where locals came together to trade skins, animals and fish. Now the carvings are scarred with hundreds of tire tracks from motorcycles and off-road vehicles tearing through the art creations in the landscape and permanently disfiguring them. A visitor walks past the ancient geoglyphs of 'Cerros Pintados', at Atacama desert, in Iquique, Chile October 29. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado "It's practically destroyed by motorcycles, off-roaders," said Jose Barraza, general director of the regional national patrimony office. He said various groups were trying to preserve the site to prevent any more destruc...
Read MoreColombia is establishing itself as a top tourist destination, offering a rich variety of experiences and places that should not be missed on your itinerary. From the vibrant capital to the charming coasts and natural landscapes, these are the locations and accommodations that will make your trip an unforgettable experience. Bogotá: The Enchanting Capital Bogotá, a vibrant and cosmopolitan metropolis, offers travelers a perfect blend of culture, history, and modernity. Among the main activities to enjoy in Bogotá are visiting the Gold Museum to learn more about pre-Columbian history, exploring Monserrate Hill (El Cerro de Monserrate) for panoramic views of the city, wandering through the historic neighborhood of La Candelaria and its colorful streets, enjoying the live...
Read MoreKnown for hosting one of the seven wonders of the modern world and for its cuisine, Peru is a destination that should be on every traveler's bucket list. Its tourist offer is so wide that they cater to a wide range of interests, from history enthusiasts to food lovers, trekking fans, and those who prioritize wellness. The destination is an open book for a memorable vacation with endless possibilities. This is why, besides visiting Machu Picchu, considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world, visitors should also consider these must-do activities. 1. Exploring the Contrasts of Lima Most international flights land at the airport in Lima, the country's capital, making it the perfect excuse to discover the contrasts the city offers: from its historical side to its ...
Read MoreThey call him Bold and he is Brazil's most famous jaguar, seen on social media diving into rivers to capture a caiman and wrestle his prey ashore. Bold and his fellow jaguars are surviving the worst fires to engulf the world's largest tropical wetlands in central-western Brazil, the Pantanal. Unlike other animals trapped and burnt to death, jaguars know how to seek refuge on the banks of rivers where food is available in the caimans and capybaras they hunt. A female jaguar named Patricia, by NGO Jaguar ID, with her cub Makala are seen at Encontro das Aguas State Park, in the Pantanal, the largest wetland in the world, in Pocone, Mato Grosso, Brazil, October 6, 2024. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes Bold, or Ousado in Portuguese, survived a devastating fire in 2020 when he was rescued wit...
Read MoreA record number of fires tore through Peru over the past few weeks, wreaking havoc across the country’s ecosystems as grasslands, dry forests, coastal areas, and the Amazon were set ablaze. In northern Peru, spectacled bears fled burning dry forests to nearby towns where some were shot by frightened residents. Jaguars in the southern Amazon, with nowhere to flee, were left charred on trees. Grasslands and wetlands that play a key role in storing water were left in ashes. “The rainforest is usually impervious to fire,” said Paul Rosolie, a conservationist and founder of JungleKeepers, an NGO that patrols and preserves the Amazon in Peru, adding that they’ve seen burned turtles, snakes, birds, and jaguars after recent patrols. “The forest is their world, so when you burn it, they die....
Read MoreArchaeologists in Peru have uncovered evidence that could point to a woman ruling in a coastal valley during the ancient Moche culture more than 1,300 years ago, including a stone throne and unique scenes depicted in elaborate wall paintings. The nature of the ancient murals "could indicate it was a woman who used the space, possibly a ruler," said Jessica Ortiz, research director for the project at the Panamarca archaeological site on Peru's northwest coast. A view of a lower figure painted on the pillar at the archaeological site of Panamarca where archaeologists have uncovered evidence that could point to a woman ruling in a coastal valley during the ancient Moche culture over 1,300 years ago. PRIA (Archaeological Research Program) Paisajes Arqueologicos de Panamarca - Lisa Treve...
Read MoreThe town of Hilario Ascasubi near Argentina's eastern Atlantic coast has a parrot problem. Thousands of the green-yellow-red birds have invaded, driven by deforestation in the surrounding hills, according to biologists. They bite on the town's electric cables, causing outages, and are driving residents around the bend with their incessant screeching and deposits everywhere of parrot poo. Parrots stand on power lines in the town of Hilario Ascasubi, which they invaded driven by deforestation in the surrounding hills, according to biologists, in Argentina, September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian "The hillsides are disappearing, and this is causing them to come closer to the cities to find food, shelter and water," biologist Daiana Lera said, explaining that much of Argentina'...
Read More
You must be logged in to post a comment.