Conservation challenge

Project goal: Working with local and indigenous communities to protect biological diversity and ensure a sustainable management of natural resources in Peru’s Manú National Park in the Amazon River basin
Implementation: The Frankfurt Zoological Society is working to minimize human-wildlife conflict through measures including building fences and setting up a hotline. Research will also focus on the Andean bear
Size: The Manú National Park covers about 1.5 million hectares and stretches over a wide range of altitudes
Duration: The project began in 2013 and will end in 2017
Budget: Over two million Euros, with the biggest share provided by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety
Biodiversity: There are more than 5,000 different plant species, as well as numerous species of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles

The Manú National Park, a richly biodiverse region, stretches from the eastern slopes of the Peruvian Andes to the lush lowlands. Around 500,000 species are found here. They include the giant otter, the caiman and rare birds as well as over 5,000 plant species. But, ever since the Park was set up 40 years ago, illegal woodcutters and gold prospectors have been exploiting the region for valuable resources, endangering the biodiversity. In addition, the local population is growing, adding further pressure on the area. The Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is working to find ways for a better balance between humans and nature. But it’s not easy because some communities live in complete isolation and shirk contact with the outside world. That presents new challenges in conserving the region.

A film by Carl Gierstorfer