Vale Zoo and Botanical Park (PZV)

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Created in 1985, maintained and managed by Vale, the Zoo and Botanical Park is home exclusively to native species of Amazonian fauna and flora. It is located in a Federal Conservation Unit within Carajás National Forest, extending along 30 hectares of preserved land where birds, agoutis and monkeys roam freely in the visitation areas, offering a unique experience of immersion in the Amazon rainforest.

The park shelters almost 360 animals from more than 70 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, including rare and endangered species, such as harpia (harpy eagle), golden parakeet, jaguar, cougar, white-cheeked spider monkey, and bearded saki.

Learn More about the Park

PZV has a zoo, an orchidarium, a herbarium, a collection room, an auditorium, an exhibition area, and an environmental education room. It is open for visitation daily and the entrance is free. The park draws almost 100,000 visitors a year.

In addition, we support several environmental studies, pieces of research, and projects aimed at protecting local biodiversity, including exhibition and conservation of Amazonian fauna and flora species.

Browse the items to learn more

Map of the Park

Rules of Use

Experiences and Attractions

Wildlife Preservation

Map of the Park

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Rules of Use

Visitor restrictions:

Enter the site carrying items or equipment that may cause discomfort to other visitors or harm animals and the environment, such as drones, whistles, stereos, and balls.

Damage or take plants, feathers, rocks, fruits, seeds or any other biological material.

Carry out any religious, political, or commercial activity.

Bring domestic or wild animals into the site.

Throw objects, touch, or feed animals.

Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult guardian.

Start a fire or a barbecue.

Consume alcoholic beverages.

Visitors are required to:

Wear outfits suitable for the place.

Dispose of garbage properly in selective waste collection bins distributed throughout the park.

Use drinking fountains and toilet reasonably and with respect.

Experiences and Attractions

The Vale Zoo and Botanical Park offers visitors several attractions that provide a unique experience of immersion in the Amazon rainforest.

Guided Visits

Groups of tourists, schools, and institutions need to book guided visits in advance. Self-guided visits are available; signage identifying the tour route must be followed. In addition, the park offers a diverse schedule of activities throughout the year – from ecological trails and educational games to movie screenings and exhibitions.

Animals

At the park, visitors find several animals that are native of the Amazon rainforest, duly identified or roaming freely in their natural habitat. There is signage to guide visitors all the way.

Immersion Nursery

It is a no-fence area where visitors have direct contact with birds from the Amazon rainforest. With a total area of 800m², the nursery shelters more than 100 birds from 24 species, such as the golden parakeet, macaw, scarlet macaw, and blue-fronted parrot. The visitation schedule is not changeable; thus, during other periods, animals can be observed from the external area. For more information, contact the park.

Orchidarium

Vale created this area to show the diversity of orchid species in Carajás, disclose its importance for maintaining biodiversity, and continue its efforts to mitigate environmental impacts. Almost 500 specimens of orchids from 80 different species can be observed. One of the species is the Mormodes paraensis, an orchid native of Carajás, which was discovered by scientists based on the botanical material found in Carajás.

Anthill

The park is home to a giant anthill, offering visitors the opportunity to see beneath the soil and find out why ants are considered one of the most organized animals. The permanent exhibition Formigueiro (Anthill) is set up at the Visitor Center, and opens daily.

Entomological Collection

The entomological collection of the Zoo and Botanical Park gathers 1,100 insect specimens. Most insects are dry-preserved using entomological pins. The specimens of this collection are very important for research. The collection is open to visitation on weekends.

For more information about research projects and service hours, please contact the park.

Environmental Education

PZV also operates as a center for educational initiatives, including thematic workshops on selective waste collection, biodiversity of Amazonian fauna and flora, wildfire, and sustainability. On commemorative dates, the park offers recreational activities with games, sensory trails, educational cinema, and quick environmental workshops, in addition to leisure areas.

The environmental education program is intended to raise public awareness through a straightforward yet mindful dialogue. Our role is to give significance to Amazonian natural resources, building a culture for sustainability. It is possible to book guided visits with the park's environmental educators.

Wildlife Preservation

The Zoo and Botanical Park is run by several professionals, including biologists, veterinary physicians, environmental technicians, botanists, and environmental assistants. The site contributes to the preservation of species and operates as a genetic stock center, also training specialized professionals to work with fauna and flora preservation in Brazil.

Animal Breeding and Care

The animals that inhabit the park arrived here in different ways:

Some are native of the Amazon;
Others were seized animals brought in by specific environmental agencies;
Some animals were born in captivity;
Or exchanged by animals from other zoos, both from Brazil and abroads.

No animal currently living in the Park has been captured or bought by Vale. The purpose of breeding animals is to preserve species. The site is also equipped with a veterinary hospital and a breeding and quarantine area to assist rescued animals.

Captive Breeding

The park develops a program focused on captive reproduction of Amazonian biome species that are threatened with extinction, such as the golden parakeet (Guaruba guarouba). During reproduction, couples are kept in a breeding area with restricted access to ensure the process occurs seamlessly and without the interference of noises. An artificial nest is also available to stimulate reproduction. This process is also supported by an incubator, as necessary.

Over its 35 years of history, several important births have already been registered, more specifically cubs of golden parakeet, king vulture, harpia, red macaw, jaguars and black jaguars, white-lipped peccary, collared peccary, guianan squirrel monkey, howling monkey, black-capped capuchin, ashy black titi monkey, and tapirs, which roam around partially free and also receive special care from the handlers.

Falconry

This is a millennial art that consists of breeding, training, and caring for falcons and other birds of prey for hunting purposes. The Zoo and Botanical Park receives and cares for these animal species, which had usually been rescued and seized. Here, our goal is to rehabilitate animals under treatment, make them healthy and fit, and raise awareness among children and adults about the importance of preserving wildlife.

Botanical Research

Preservation of animal species is not the only focus of the Vale Zoo and Botanical Park. Given its extensive area of native forest, PZV is also a breeding ground for botanical research. Periodically, technicians collect samples of native species in the region to catalog all information about the Amazonian flora.

The survey team identifies and stores not only specimens of large and small plants, which have medicinal effects, but also weeds and woody vines. The collection of specimens enables the discovery of new species that carry key information about their occurrence and development in the region.

It is worth noting that the park also has scientific didactic collections of seeds and woods, consisting of 273 species and 28 samples of wood discs, respectively.

Internationally Certified Herbarium

Carajás Herbarium (HCJS, Herbário de Carajás) located in the park is listed in the Index Herbariorum (IH), an institution managed by The New York Botanical Garden and certifier of collections that are permanent scientific repositories. This Herbarium holds a collection of more than 7.100 specimens filed and grouped into 170 families. The collection is maintained ad aeternum (forever) and is available for scientific consultations.