A new wildlife refuge established in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest will help protect critical habitat for threatened species in one of the planet’s most imperiled ecosystems. Created by the Municipality of Salesópolis, with technical support from SAVE Brasil, Rainforest Trust, and American Bird Conservancy (ABC), the Marsh Antwren Wildlife Refuge represents a major milestone in protecting one of the last remaining areas essential for the species’ survival, while also contributing to the conservation of the Atlantic Forest, a globally significant biome where decades of deforestation and fragmentation have placed extraordinary pressures on biodiversity.
“The creation of this refuge in Salesópolis marks a major milestone for the survival of the São Paulo Marsh Antwren, an endemic species found only in Brazil and restricted to the state of São Paulo,” said Alice Reisfeld, CEO of SAVE Brasil. By protecting one of the last remaining areas where the species can continue to thrive safely, this initiative represents a significant advance for bird conservation in the Atlantic Forest and reinforces the region’s commitment to safeguarding its unique biodiversity for future generations.
The Salesópolis Wildlife Refuge will protect over 14,000 acres of Atlantic Forest and marsh habitat in São Paulo state, safeguarding habitats critical to the São Paulo Marsh Antwren, as well as other threatened species such as the Buffy-fronted Seedeater and the Chaco Eagle (also known as Crowned Solitary Eagle). The refuge also strengthens ecological connectivity within one of the world’s most fragmented and threatened tropical forest ecosystems.
“Rainforest Trust is proud to support the establishment of the Salesópolis Wildlife Refuge, a vital step forward for the Atlantic Forest and the threatened species that depend on it,” said James Deutsch, CEO of Rainforest Trust. “This refuge shows the power of local leadership and global partnership to secure critical habitat for the São Paulo Marsh Antwren and for the extraordinary web of life that depends on this forest.”
Habitat is the foundation for birds’ survival. For range-restricted species like the Marsh Antwren, which is particularly threatened by habitat loss because of its proximity to a booming urban area, protecting what remains of their limited habitat is essential.
“With a population size estimated at less than 700, the Marsh Antwren now has a brighter future ahead,” said Daniel Lebbin, Vice President of Threatened Species at ABC. “The creation of the Marsh Antwren Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Brazil will play a key role in ensuring this Critically Endangered species thrives. Thanks to years of partnership efforts, we reached a significant milestone in conserving habitat for some of the region’s quickest-vanishing birds.”
The Wildlife Refuge is the second protected area established with support from SAVE Brasil for safeguarding Marsh Antwren habitat; the first being the Refúgio de Vida Silvestre do Bicudinho in the municipality of Guararema, with 5,861 acres.
Creating protected nature reserves has been a hallmark of ABC since its founding over 30 years ago. Together with partners and local communities, more than 1.3 million acres have been protected throughout a network of reserves spanning 15 countries and providing habitat for more than 3,000 bird species, nearly two-thirds of the world’s birds.
This project was supported by many generous ABC individual donors.
This press release was originally written and published by SAVE Brasil.
