Latest news with #Pantanal
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Brazil's environmental movement is under threat – and Lula is siding with oil industry
Political bullying is rarely as brutal as it was in Brazil this week when the environment minister Marina Silva was ambushed in a senate meeting. Her thuggish tormentors – all white male politicians on the infrastructure committee – took turns to publicly belittle the 67-year-old black woman, who has done more than anyone to protect the natural wealth of the country – the Amazon rainforest, Pantanal wetlands, Cerrado savannah and other biomes – from rapacious abuse. One by one, they lined up to attack her for these globally important efforts. Decorum gave way to name-calling and sneering: 'Know your place,' roared the committee head, Marcos Rogério, a Bolsonarist who cut Silva's microphone as she tried to respond. The leader of the centre-rightPSDB, Plínio Valério, told her she did not deserve respect as a minister. The Amazonas senator Omar Aziz – from the Centrão party and a supporter of president Lula – talked over her repeatedly. Their motives appeared to be partly ideological, partly misogynistic and largely self-interested. All of them were trying to force through economic projects – roads, oilfields, dams or plantations – that are under scrutiny by Silva's environment ministry. Never mind that this is her job, they seemed to say, how dare she not allow them to have their way? But she did dare. Despite her frail physique, Silva is a fighter. Born in the Amazon rainforest, she helped to found the Workers' party alongside Lula during the era of military dictatorship. She campaigned against deforestation alongside Chico Mendes, who was assassinated in 1988. In her first stint as environment minister, between 2003 and 2008, she established a monitoring-and-penalty system that she said reduced forest clearance by 80%. Later, she ran as president for the Green party, securing nearly 20m votes – more than any other Green candidate in world history. Twelve years ago, she founded her own party – the Sustainability Network. Silva refused to tolerate being abused and silenced, and walked out of the senate meeting. Outside, when she finally had a chance to speak, she turned on her tormentors: 'My place is the place to defend democracy, my place is the place to defend the environment, to combat inequality, sustainable development, to protect biodiversity, and infrastructure projects that are necessary for the country,' she said defiantly. 'What is unacceptable is for someone to think that because you are a woman, black, and come from a humble background, that you are going to say who I am and still say that I should stay in my place. My place is where all women should be.' This version of what happened has been reported widely in the Brazilian media, but it tells only part of the story. What is missing – and more important – is why the pack of senators felt Silva was vulnerable. That is because over the previous few days, Lula had taken the side of the oil industry rather than the Amazon rainforest, and then – not by coincidence – the Brazilian environmental movement suffered one of the biggest legislative defeats in its history. At the centre of everything is a long-running row over oil exploration in the Foz do Amazonas. BP and the French oil company Total used to hold most of these rights, but they baulked at the political and environmental challenge of drilling so close to the world's biggest centre of terrestrial biodiversity. Instead, Brazil's state-run oil company, Petrobras, stepped up. For Lula – and the senators in nearby regions – that meant potential votes, jobs and export earnings. The only thing standing in their way was the environment ministry, which has delayed a licence for years due to the risks of a possible spill in such an ecologically sensitive area. That handbrake was lifted earlier this week, when the head of the environmental regulator, Ibama, ignored the warnings of 29 expert advisers by moving on to the next stage of the approval process for operations in the Foz do Amazonas. This capitulation followed pressure from Congress and the president. This was followed by the biggest legislative setback for the environment in more than 40 years. To the delight of the mining, construction and farming industries, the senate has passed a long-pending bill that strips a range of environmental licensing powers from Silva's ministry. This piece of legislation – dubbed the devastation bill by opponents – allows companies to self-license or avoid environmental licensing for road construction, dam-building and other projects. It is a shift of control from the representatives of the people to the executives of big companies. Lula could yet wield a veto on this bill. But so far the president's response has been tepid. His party has a weak presence in congress, so he depends on a broad and fractious coalition, many of whose members are enmeshed in agribusiness or mining. Next year's presidential election seems to be weighing on his mind more than November's Cop30 climate summit in Belém. In the wake of the attacks on Silva by the senate infrastructure committee, Lula publicly came to her defence. He said she was right to walk out in the face of so much provocation. But he has not faced up to his responsibility for leaving her exposed. Nor has he faced up to the contradictions of his own promise to achieve zero deforestation by 2030 and his support for evidently incompatible projects, such as oil drilling off the coast of the Amazon, an upgraded BR319 road that would open up the forest between Manaus and Porto Velho to greater clearance activities, and a new grain railway that would increase pressure for more soya bean plantations. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion At the Amazon Summit in Belém two years ago, he declined to sign up to Colombian president Gustavo Petro's calls for a fossil-free rainforest. Soon after, at Cop28 in Dubai, his government shocked many of its supporters by announcing it would join the Opec+ oil cartel. Lula can argue that this is pragmatism as Brazil depends on petroleum sales for a growing share of its GDP. Fossil fuel realpolitik is likely to be evident at a Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro in July, where the Brazilian president will rub shoulders with China's Xi Jinping of China, Russia's Vladimir Putin, India's Narendra Modi and other world leaders. Lula has thrown Marina Silva under a cement mixer once before – in 2008, when she was forced to leave his second-term government because too many ministers saw her as a drag on economic development. He may feel reluctant to do so again before Cop30, because he knows she is vital for Brazil's environmental credibility in the eyes of much of the world, and he does not want his country to return to the pariah status it endured during the Bolsonaro years. But the sands are shifting and Lula seems unsure of his footing. His base – the working class and poor – are already suffering the brunt of climate impacts. The south of Brazil has been deluged by devastating floods. The northern Amazon has been stricken by record droughts and fires. Civil society and progressive thinkers – almost all of whom usually support Lula – have been far more active than the president in opposing the devastation bill and defending the environment minister on social media, where many public figures have posted 'Marina is not alone' messages of support. But like many other centre left leaders in the world, Lula is struggling in the age of Trump, of rightwing extremism, of warmongering, of geopolitical realignment and corporate backtracking on the environment. As Silva showed, it takes courage to face those forces. Lula has often stood by her in that fight, but does he still have the stomach and the inclination to continue?
Forbes
5 days ago
- Forbes
You Can Go On An African-esque Safari Looking For Jaguars In This Remote Region Of Brazil
Sunset on safari in Brazil's Pantanal. The safari vehicle pushes through the bushes on a barely visible four-wheel drive road, the vegetation shooting up over the top of the vehicle on either side. Last summer, a series of fires broke out in this area—more than 700 individual fires in the month of June alone—burning thousands of acres and killing untold animals. Looking at the dense terrain, I find it amazing that, in just about six months, the forest had recovered so significantly; a first-time visitor like myself might even be tempted to say it had recovered completely. The only remaining signs of the fires are the burnt trunks of certain trees, but they are usually blocked from sight by the new-growth vegetation, which has already reached overhead heights. A jaguar and her cub hide in the bush in Brazil's Pantanal. Can you spot them in the photo? This area is known as the Pantanal, and it is considered to be one of the largest wetland regions in the world. It's mostly located in Brazil, where I am now, with small segments belonging to Paraguay and Bolivia. It was traditionally a cattle ranching region and still mostly is today. However, the Pantanal is also a growing eco-tourism region, with several ranches offering African-esque safari experiences. The main prize? Wild jaguars. When the vehicle comes to a halt, we are fully under the canopy of trees. The guide begins pointing to something in the bush, right at the base of the tree trunk. It's not until I pull out my binoculars that I can see the female jaguar sprawled out—and her cub just beside her. Moments like these, and others—the Pantanal is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including its own 'Big 5'—are beginning to put this place on the world tourism map. But none of it would be possible if a big cultural shift hadn't taken place. Not too long ago, here in the remote interior of Brazil, jaguars were a different kind of prize. Jaguars and ranchers have traditionally clashed due to the former's impact on cattle ranching. Now, safari experiences in the Pantanal are putting a new spin on the relationship. As the sun moved directly overhead and the day grew hot, we huddled up under some trees for shade. My guide, Louisa, pulls a thermos from her pack and begins pouring water into a tall, cylindrical cup filled with erva-mate leaves, or mate. She lets it steep briefly, places a metal straw with a filter inside, and passes the cup. 'The first [cup] is always the strongest,' she said. In other parts of South America, like Aregentina, mate is drunk as a hot tea. But here in the Pantanal, where the temperature is often close to or above 100, it's much better as a cold refreshment. Referred to locally as tereré, Louisa explains how what we're doing is a social event of sorts here in the Pantanal, where multiple people share a thermos of cold water, relaxing in the shade on a hot day, taking turns with the cup, the tea getting progressively weaker with each refill. When it's my turn, I sip it down. It's a small amount, maybe a few ounces, enough to wet your whistle. It's cold and refreshing, and for a few moments, the heat of the day subsides, and we all feel refreshed. As we share the mate, other guides join in on the circle. One of them begins telling this really sad story, about how when he was younger, he was hired to kill the jaguars. Amongst he and other hunters, knowing the number of jaguars you had killed was a point of pride, and competition. Then, one day, something changed. After killing a jaguar, he bent down to collect the body, and in that moment, touching the pelt, he saw for the first time—for whatever reason—how beautiful the animal was, and how tragic its death. He was overcome with regret and decided to change his ways. Flash forward a decade or two and he is now a wildlife guide, drinking mate with us under the trees. Luiza tells us later that this story is common here in the Pantanal. Not too long ago, jaguars were enemy number one in this area. It all sounds similar to the battle between ranchers and wolves in North America. The ranchers don't like the jaguars because they sometimes kill the cattle. But this age-old battle has taken a turn, thanks in part—or maybe in full—to tourism. The financial potential of visitors coming to see the jaguars gives ranch owners a reason to let them live. Today, there is a whole generation of wildlife advocates, including ranch owners and safari guides, who are working to protect the jaguars. The Caiman Lodge in Brazil's Pantanal offers an African-like safari experience. Thus far, the way tourism is designed in the Pantanal is very similar to what you find on a classic African safari. Remote lodging in natural areas, daily game drives, and a sense that you're completely away from it all. Caiman Ranch Owner Roberto Klabin said that tourism in the Pantanal has been inspired by what has happened in Africa, citing the benefits of wildlife tourism, including reduced poaching and future economic interest in maintaining a healthy, thriving animal population. While many game drives in Africa take place on public land (such as within the national parks), most tourism in the Pantanal is happening on private land. And most of them are still ranching and raising cattle simualtaneously—they've just added in the tourism component. Brazil's Pantanal is one of the largest wetland regions in the world and home to a variety of wildlife, big and small. Klabin's Caiman Lodge, for example, is still raising thousands of heads of cattle per year. Right now, ranching still pays the bills, but there's hope that will change as the region grows, and then the footprint of cattle ranching can be reduced, he said. The daily rhythms of the day and the experiences are set up the same way as in Africa, although that's due more to animal behavior than far-away admiration. The morning game drive takes place during sunrise, and the afternoon game drive during sunset, the times of day when the animals are most active. In between, one hangs at the lodge during the heat of the day, enjoying whatever amenities there may be. At Casa Caiman, those options include a pool, gym, scenic sitting areas, and, of course, food and drink. PANTANAL, BRAZIL - 2024/09/24: A Red-and-green macaw or green-winged macaw is flying at the Buraco das Araras (Macaws Sinkhole), near Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images) Like Africa, the Pantanal has created its own 'Big 5'—that is, a (subjective) list of the five flagship animals that one can see in the area: The jaguar, the giant anteater, the marsh deer, the tapir, and the world's largest rodent, the capybara. But interesting wildlife goes beyond the Big 5. Two of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen—the toucan and the red and green macaw—call the Pantanal home, as do the many caimans, foxes, and rheas that you'll see on game drives. Because this biome is special (one of the world's largest wetlands) and in this point of transition, there are many animal organizations doing research in the Pantanal, and some offer tourism opportunities. For example, Caiman Lodge partners with multiple organizations: Onçafari (jaguars), the Hyacinth Macaw Institute, the Tamanduá Institute (giant anteaters), the Tapirapé Project (tapirs), and more. Each organization offers guests a chance for a ride-along to learn more about their conservation work as part of the ecotourism experience. Located in the deep interior of Brazil, the Pantanal takes several days to reach from North America. The Pantanal is extremely remote, and accessing it is half the battle and quite the journey. From the United States, one must first fly to Sao Paolo, Brazil, and then catch a domestic flight to Campo Grande. From there, it will depend on exactly where you are going, but it's more or less a three-hour shuttle ride to reach the Pantanal. If you can somehow manage to accomplish this all in one day, I tip my cap. But most likely, an overnight stopover will be necessary, or at the very least, an overnight flight. Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world, home to many amazing natural biomes. The Amazon has long been a wonder of the world. Perhaps someday the Pantanal will be seen as one too.
Gizmodo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
How to Watch Brazilian TV Abroad (Globo, Record, and More)
Brazilian TV is more than just telenovelas and samba-soaked carnival coverage — it's a cultural engine with global appeal. In fact, Globo alone reaches over 100 million viewers daily, delivering everything from breaking news and reality shows to high-production dramas like Verdades Secretas and Pantanal. But if you're living abroad or just traveling outside Brazil, trying to stream your favorite shows can feel like hitting a digital wall. That's because most Brazilian streaming platforms and TV channels are geo-restricted — meaning you'll get blocked the moment your IP address says 'not in Brazil.' That's where a VPN comes in. It works as a simple tool on your phone, computer, or even your router — as long as you choose a reliable one. In the following lines, we'll show you exactly how to use one, which VPNs actually work, and how to get back to watching Brazilian TV abroad without buffering. Best VPNs to Watch Brazilian Television Outside Brazil After testing a dozen VPNs across multiple countries and devices, only a few actually gave us smooth, reliable access to Brazilian TV platforms. We're talking Globoplay, RecordTV Play, SBT Vídeos, and even Brazilian Amazon Prime content. Most services either got blocked at the homepage or lagged so hard we couldn't make it past the intro credits of Pantanal. But three VPNs consistently bypassed geo-restrictions, maintained high speeds, and kept our connection locked to Brazil, no matter where in the world we were. 7492 servers 118 covered countries 30 days money-back guarantee 10 simultaneous connections 9.4 /10 Visit site Our review Monthly price 3,09 $ 27 MONTHS 4,99 $ 12 MONTHS 11,99 $ 1 MONTH Our opinion: The best overall VPN for reliability and security Speed Security Features Ease of use Customer support Value for money SEE MORE 1 3000 servers 105 covered countries 30 days money-back guarantee 8 simultaneous connections 9.1 /10 Visit site Our review Monthly price 6,67 $ 15 MONTHS 9,99 $ 6 MONTHS 12,95 $ 1 MONTH Our opinion: The fast and easy to use quality VPN Speed Security Features Ease of use Customer support Value for money SEE MORE 2 27000 servers 91 covered countries 30 days money-back guarantee Unlimited connections 9 /10 Visit site Our review Monthly price 2,19 $ 24+2 MONTHS 7,50 $ 6 MONTHS 11,99 $ 1 MONTH Our opinion: The best VPN at affordable rates Speed Security Features Ease of use Customer support Value for money SEE MORE 3 1. NordVPN If you're looking for a VPN that can slip past Brazil's regional blocks without breaking a sweat, NordVPN is the best choice you can make in 2025. We tested it on Globoplay, RecordTV Play, and even Brazilian Prime Video, and it unlocked them all on the first try. No IP leaks, no CAPTCHA loops, no 'Sorry, this content isn't available in your region' dead ends. NordVPN's edge lies in its SmartPlay technology, which combines Smart DNS with VPN encryption. That means streaming platforms think you're in Brazil, while your data stays encrypted behind Nord's security layer. During testing, we connected to São Paulo, and it delivered HD playback of Verdades Secretas II, Jornal Nacional, and A Fazenda without buffering or lag. Speed-wise, NordVPN stays consistent. Even while connected from Europe and the US, we saw no more than a 10-15% drop from our base connection, which is excellent for cross-continent streaming. And thanks to NordLynx, its custom WireGuard-based protocol, it keeps things fast and stable, even when streaming in 4K or casting to a smart TV. It also helps that NordVPN supports just about every device. We had it running on a Windows laptop, an iPhone, a Fire Stick (it offers the best VPN app for Fire TV), and even a Smart TV — all under a single account. Setup took just minutes, and switching between servers was fast and glitch-free. At around $3/month (with a 2-year plan), plus a 30-day money-back guarantee, NordVPN delivers the best mix of performance, privacy, and price for anyone serious about watching Brazilian content abroad. Try NordVPN Now Pros Unblocks all major Brazilian streaming SmartPlay tech = no need for manual tweaking Fast, stable speeds Apps for every major device out there Easy-to-use apps Strong privacy tools baked in Cons Limited to 10 connections per account 2. ExpressVPN If you want a VPN that just works without any fiddling or wondering if Globo's going to freeze during a football match, ExpressVPN is your go-to for smooth, stable Brazilian television access from anywhere. During testing, ExpressVPN immediately unblocked Globoplay, SBT Vídeos, RecordTV Play, and even BandNews TV live streams without hesitation. We connected from servers in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, both of which gave us reliable, high-speed access with zero buffering. Even better? They held steady during prime-time hours when other VPNs started to buckle. ExpressVPN's real superpower is its Lightway Turbo protocol, which it connects fast, maintains stable speeds, and plays nicely with every kind of device. Whether we were on an Android phone, Fire Stick, smart TV, or just casting from a laptop, streams started within seconds and played without dropouts. Pantanal? Smooth. Fantástico? Crystal clear. What we also loved is ExpressVPN's cross-platform consistency. The app interface is clean and fast across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and smart TV platforms. There's even a browser extension if you just want to unblock Globoplay in a tab and move on with your day. ExpressVPN costs a bit more, about $5/month on a long-term plan, but the difference shows. With fast connections to two Brazilian server locations, strong privacy practices, and 24/7 support that actually responds, it's worth the bump if you want reliability with zero friction. Try ExpressVPN Now Pros Instantly unblocks Globoplay and more Multiple servers in Brazil Lightway protocol offers fast, stable streams Beginner-friendly interface across all devices No speed drops or buffering during peak hours Cons Pricier than most other options Limited to 8 simultaneous connections 3. Private Internet Access If you're after the most affordable way to reliably stream Brazilian TV from abroad, Private Internet Access (PIA) is your pick. At around $2/month on long-term plans, it's a killer deal, especially if you don't mind getting your hands a little dirty during setup. PIA gave us full access to Globo, RecordTV, and SBT, though it wasn't as seamless as Nord or Express. We had to switch servers once or twice (PIA has over 60 servers in Brazil, split between São Paulo and Rio), and occasionally clear browser cookies before Globoplay would fully load. But once we were in, streaming was smooth, as HD quality held up even on mid-range connections. Where Private Internet Access really stands out is customization. You get full control over encryption strength, VPN protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN), and split tunneling. Want to route only Globoplay through the VPN while everything else stays on your regular IP? You can. Want to tweak for speed over security while watching A Fazenda? Go for it. It also supports unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a great pick if you want to protect multiple devices (or share the plan across a household). Apps are available on all major platforms, but the interface leans more toward the practical than the polished — think functionality over flash. If you want the cheapest VPN that actually gets the job done for Brazilian content, and you're okay with a bit more manual fine-tuning, Private Internet Access gives you the best bang for your buck. Try Private Internet Access Now Pros Unlocks platforms like RecordTV reliably Physical servers in Brazil for quick access Unlimited device connections per account Deep customization for speed and flexibility Cons May require manual tweaks like switching servers Interface is more utilitarian than user-friendly How to Watch Brazilian TV Abroad: Our Tutorial To make this article complete, we need to show you how to use a VPN to access all Brazilian TV channels from abroad. Of all the VPNs we tested, NordVPN was the most consistent at unblocking Globoplay, RecordTV, SBT Vídeos, and Band TV from outside Brazil. What sealed the deal? NordVPN has over 20 servers in Brazil, giving you more flexibility and stability — especially when traffic is high or a server is temporarily flagged. Step 1: Sign up for NordVPN – Head to and choose a plan. The 2-year option gives the best value at around $3/month, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee if it's not for you. Head to and choose a plan. The 2-year option gives the best value at around $3/month, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee if it's not for you. Step 2: Download and install the NordVPN app – It works on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, and more. Pick your platform and follow the quick install guide. It works on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, and more. Pick your platform and follow the quick install guide. Step 3: Connect to a Brazilian server – Launch the app and select any server in Brazil — NordVPN has over 20 to choose from. Why? Because the goal is to get an IP address that makes it appear as though you're located in Brazil. Launch the app and select any server in Brazil — NordVPN has over 20 to choose from. Why? Because the goal is to get an IP address that makes it appear as though you're located in Brazil. Step 4: Clear your browser cookies – This helps prevent any lingering location data from interfering with the connection. This helps prevent any lingering location data from interfering with the connection. Step 5: Head to your favorite Brazilian streaming site – Go to or and start streaming. That's it, no complex settings, no trial and error. Just full access to Brazilian TV, no matter where you are in the world. Why Free VPNs Don't Let You Access Brazilian TV Channels Outside Brazil Using a free VPN might sound like the easiest way to unlock Brazilian TV from outside the country, but in practice, it's a dead end. Here's why most free services just can't deliver when it comes to streaming Globoplay abroad (but also RecordTV or SBT). Most Free VPNs Don't Offer Brazilian Servers The biggest roadblock? Server availability. Most free VPN providers don't even include Brazil as a connection option. Instead, they prioritize traffic-heavy regions like the US, UK, or Germany, ignoring South America altogether. Take Proton VPN, for example, which is one of the most respected names in the free VPN space. While we often recommend it for safe, ad-free browsing, its free tier only gives you access to servers in five countries: the US, Netherlands, Japan, Poland, and Romania. That means Brazilian platforms like Globoplay or Band TV won't even see you as a local user, and you'll be blocked before the homepage loads. The Few That Do Are Painfully Unreliable Even in rare cases where a free VPN claims to offer Brazilian servers, the performance is rough. These servers are usually overloaded, with extremely limited bandwidth and high latency. That means your stream is likely to buffer, drop out mid-show, or not load at all. Plus, streaming services regularly flag and blacklist free VPN IP addresses. Brazilian platforms use advanced geo-blocking tech, and they're quick to shut down known VPN traffic, especially from free providers that don't rotate their IPs or refresh their infrastructure regularly. Free VPNs for Brazil Cut Corners to Stay 'Free' There's a trade-off for that $0 price tag. Many free VPNs rely on ads, data logging, or bandwidth throttling to survive. That's bad news if your goal is smooth, private streaming. You'll often encounter popups, sluggish speeds, or questionable privacy practices that put your data at risk, all while still being blocked from watching Vai na Fé or A Fazenda. You won't find premium tools like Smart DNS, stealth protocols, or dedicated streaming servers, all of which are critical for bypassing geo-restrictions on Brazilian platforms. TLDR: If your goal is to stream Brazilian TV from abroad without stress, free VPNs just aren't built for it. Whether you're chasing CBF matches on Band or catching up on Verdades Secretas on Globoplay, you need a VPN that can deliver consistent speed, secure access, and verified servers in Brazil. Final Words Whether you're living abroad, traveling for work, or just missing a taste of home, watching Brazilian TV outside the country shouldn't feel like a locked door. Platforms like Globoplay, RecordTV Play, SBT, and Band are packed with the shows, news, and culture that connect millions of Brazilians every day. With the right VPN that has servers in Brazil, you can stay plugged in. After testing dozens of services, NordVPN stood out for its fast Brazilian servers, reliable unblocking, and streaming performance that felt local — even from thousands of miles away. It's the most consistent way to bypass geo-restrictions and bring Brazilian content back to your screen without delays, dropouts, or frustration. So grab your VPN, pick a show, and hit play — Brazilian television is never more than a click away, no matter where you are. Watch Brazilian TV with NordVPN
The Guardian
15-05-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
A seadragon and flushing worms: Environmental Photography award winners
Tapir saved from fire, Pantanal region, Brazil, 2024. A tapir, nicknamed Valente, was rescued with all four legs and ears burned and unable to move. The one-year-old male was saved by the Onçafari project team on the Caiman property. The animal is now undergoing intensive treatment to heal its injuries and return to the wild Photograph: Fernando Faciole Sumatran tiger, Indonesia, 2021. The world's tiger population has declined by 95% over the last hundred years, mainly as a result of deforestation, which is drastically reducing their territory, and poaching. In Indonesia, the sub-species on the islands of Java and Bali have become extinct, and only the Sumatran tiger ( Panthera tigris sumatrae ) remains, with fewer than 400 individuals left in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund Photograph: Bambang Wirawa Burrowing worms that play a pivotal role in maintaining oxygen and nutrient circulation in the upper layer of sediment on the seabed flush sand out of their burrows. Spain, 2023. Polychaete worms flush sand out of their burrows amid a seagrass bed in the Spanish Mediterranean. All seagrass beds across the Ocean, and large amounts of sealife rely on the riches of infauna to thrive. The unsung activity of these ever hidden worms has massive consequences at a global scale Photograph: Angel Fitor A paper nautilus perched on a group of salps, Philippines, 2024. A small female paper nautilus ( Argonauta argo ) perches on a group of salps – a type of animal plankton – in Anilao's blackwater in the Philippines. She uses these as a platform while she protects and lays her eggs inside her delicate, coiled shell. The salps, drifting with the current, provide a temporary resting place for this fascinating cephalopod, illustrating the unique interactions between species in the open sea Photograph: Pietro Formis A leafy seadragon, Australia, 2024. A leafy seadragon ( Phycodurus eques ) drifts gracefully beneath the Rapid Bay jetty in South Australia. The 'holy grail' of South Australian underwater photography, this elusive creature is a master of disguise, with leaf-like appendages that blend seamlessly with its seaweed-covered surroundings. Rapid Bay is one of the few places in the world where divers can encounter this remarkable species in its natural habitat, a reminder of the diversity hidden beneath the waves Photograph: Daniel Sly A lion's mane jellyfish swims past an iceberg in Greenland, 2019. Autumn in the East Greenland fjords, near Tasiilaq, is teeming with life, especially planktonic species ranging from tiny copepods to large jellyfish such as this lion's mane jellyfish ( Cyanea capillata ) with its long stinging tentacles drifting elegantly through the water Photograph: Galice Hoarau An iceberg drifting on the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, Iceland, 2024. This photo was taken in March, when the surface of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in Iceland was partially frozen and blocks of ice were breaking away from the Vatnajökull glacier and drifting slowly towards the ocean Photograph: Michaël Arzur A fight between two female musk oxen, Norway, 2021. The image was captured in Norway's Drovefjil national park, where the musk ox ( Ovibos moschatus ) was reintroduced several years ago for its conservation. It is normal for males of this species to engage in fierce battles during the mating season but unusual for two females Photograph: Miquel Angel Artús Illana Combat between two male stag beetles, Italy, 2022. During the mating season, male stag beetles ( Lucanus cervus ) go into a frenzy, with lively but harmless clashes, in which bigger males often have the advantage over smaller ones due to their impressive mandibles. Longer larval development and genetic traits can increase the size of some individuals, but all saproxylic beetles are threatened by poor forest management, logging and dead wood removal to 'clean' the forest Photograph: Iacopo Nerozzi An Andean bear, Colombia, 2023. The highland rainforests of the Andes are among the densest, coldest, and most humid forests on Earth. They are home to the only bear species native to South America: the Andean bear, also known as the 'spectacled bear' ( Tremarctos ornatus ). Unfortunately, it is threatened with extinction due to habitat loss and poaching. A camera trap system was used, enabling this amazing animal to be captured in its natural environment without any human interaction Photograph: Santiago J Monroy García Coho Salmon and fry, USA, 2023. In the Pacific north-west the relationship between fish and forests embodies a sense of connection that seems almost mystical. Delivering a pulse of nutrients, returning adult salmon nourish some of the largest trees in the world, and in return, these ancient guardians provide a foundation for the complex conditions that salmon and trout rely upon Photograph: David Herasimtschuk Elderly Indochinese tigress on a tiger farm, Thailand, 2023. An elderly Indochinese tiger ( Panthera tigris corbetti ) rests her fragile body against the concrete wall of her enclosure on a tiger farm in northern Thailand. For over 20 years, she was trapped inside this cage and used as a breeding machine, producing cubs for industries ranging from tiger tourism to the illegal trade in tiger skins, teeth, bones, claws, and meat Photograph: Amy Jones Elephant in the middle of a sea of waste, Sri Lanka, 2023. A lone elephant is spotted here feasting on a very vibrant patch of a vast garbage site. As some of the largest waste dumping sites are placed very much close to the 'important dry zone' forests in Sri Lanka, elephants regularly visit these sites, looking for an easy meal and finally absorbing microplastics and polythene along with the food, which are life threatening elements Photograph: Lakshitha Karunarathna Rattlesnakes in a pit, Texas, United States, 2020. During the Jaycee's Rattlesnake Round-Up in Sweetwater, Texas, children observe hundreds of western diamondback rattlesnakes ( Crotalus atrox ) crowded into a pit, some of which suffocate to death. Started in 1958, the event is held annually at the Nolan County Coliseum in Newman Park. Snakes are captured from the wild, sold to the Round-Up, and kept in pits. After measuring, sexing, and extracting venom, the snakes are killed for their skin, meat, and organs Photograph: Javier Aznar Baby loggerhead sea turtle in a recovery centre, Spain, 2022. A baby loggerhead turtle is offered its first ever jellyfish in a tank as part of a head starting program in Valencia, Spain. A crew of veterinarians and biologists at L´Oceanografic Foundation raise the hatchings from nests digged on tourist-crowded beaches during a year to grant at least a part of those clutches a chance of survival Photograph: Angel Fitor .Giant armadillo's paw, Pantanal region, Brazil, 2023. The hind leg of a young giant armadillo ( Priodontes maximus ), approximately one and a half years old, is held by biologist Gabriel Massocato, the fieldwork coordinator of the Giant Armadillo project. For the past 14 years, Gabriel has dedicated his life to protecting this species through extensive scientific research Photograph: Fernando Faciole Young giant anteater undergoing rehabilitation, Brazil, 2024. When they are very young, giant anteaters depend on constant attention from caregivers, who often need to take the animals home overnight. This juvenile was found clinging to its mother who had been run over and it was the moment of the last feeding in the office of the day. After being fed, the animals are encouraged to walk around the facilities to exercise and develop their instincts Photograph: Fernando Faciole
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
30-Year-Old Bodybuilder Dies Tragically During Competition
A young bodybuilder died while competing at an event this past weekend. Wanderson Da Silva Moreira, a 30-year-old bodybuilder from Brazil, reportedly suffered a heart attack on Saturday during the Pantanal bodybuilding championship in Campo Grande, western Brazil. Witnesses said he had just finished his routine and was walking offstage, appearing unsteady, when he collapsed near the backstage area. Emergency responders treated him for more than an hour, but he was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. According to a friend who was with him at the event, Wanderson had mentioned feeling unwell earlier in the day but insisted on going through with the competition. The same friend said that Wanderson had a history of high blood pressure. Wanderson was a devoted father and husband. Before the competition, he posted a message on social media, promising to give his all in hopes of securing another win. Since his tragic death, an outpouring of condolences and support has followed. "I have no words to describe the depth of sadness and shock I still feel. He was not an athlete, he was a great friend, a family man, a man with a huge heart who was always willing to help those who needed him,' Wanderson's coach wrote in a heartfelt social media post. "We can only mourn his loss and ask God to comfort especially his family and all of us. You are and always will be part of our team and family." The organizers of the Pantanal Contest have not yet issued a public statement, and there is an ongoing investigation of his death.
