Opened in 1985, the Vale Zoo and Botanical Park covers an area of 30 hectares, 70% of which is old-growth forest in the heart of Carajás National Forest, in the state of Pará, Brazil. The park is part of the Carajás Region Mosaic of Conservation Units.
Focusing on research into, and conservation of, local flora and fauna, including endangered species, the park carries out the following activities:
Contributing to partner institutions’ research.
Acting as a support base for the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) and Vale’s operational units located in the Carajás region.
Patrolling around the urban center of Carajás with trained dogs to ward off jaguars.
Helping local people to capture wild animals that have entered the urban center of Carajás.
Cooperating with other institutions (including zoos and herbariums); and
Environmental education projects.
Around 300 mammals, birds and reptiles live in the park, all in conditions similar to their natural habitat. Various endangered species are represented, including the hyacinth macaw, jaguar, mountain lion and white-faced spider monkey.