G e n e r a l D e s c r i p t i on
The
Wildlife Ranch is located in a region called "The Chaco" at the starting point of the Brazilian Pantanal, the world's largest ecological reserve. The Ranch boasts the same fauna and flora as the adjacent Pantanal Region.The Ranch covers 55,600 acres (22,500 hectares). At its center is a 5,000 acre lake harboring clean, fresh water. An easterly flowing river feeds the lake. This river is fed by the snow melt from the Andean Highlands in Bolivia. The river runs for five miles within Ranch property, serving as a nesting place for caimans (American crocodiles).
The farm is fully enclosed with a wire fence. Internally, fences form nine safe pastures for cattle breeding, a significant source of income in South America. Approximately 8,000 head of cattle fatten quickly with the abundant and nutritious grass called "Clavel grass" that covers 85% of the property. Furthermore, due to the slightly salty soil, the hides of the animals are free of parasites, thus reducing the cost of their upkeep. There are also five rainwater catch basins at various locations on the Ranch. Approximately 15% is forested, with Algarrobo, Quebracho and Palo Santo, all used as barbed wire posts. There are also about 5 million "Caranday" or Black Palm trees, recently estimated by an Agricultural Engineer. The trunk of this palm tree is used mostly for electric power poles. The cores of the younger trees are exported as Palmito Palm Hearts. One Palmito factory was recently commissioned in Bahia Negra, a town located approximately 44 Miles (70 km.) to the North, on the Brazilian border.
The main house is built on the northern shore of the lake where there are two dirt landing strips, one NS measuring 0.6 miles (0.9 km.) in length and one EW measuring 0.75 Miles (1.2 km.). Both airstrips are fully registered with the National Civil Aviation Administration.
On the eastern side there is an outpost called "Retiro de Palo Santo". This outpost is situated on a road which will join the Transchaco (Pan-American) Highway by the end of 2000.
On the Western side there is an outpost called "Retiro de Santa Rita", with a 0.6 Miles (1 km.) long airfield, also registered with the Civil Aviation authorities. A crocodile farm was built at this location, with 30 breeding ponds. This farm has been abandoned for lack of working capital. Crocodiles are native to this ranch and on this farm they were fed with Ranch-supplied meat and piranhas from the lake. The Ranch complies with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) for harvesting of crocodiles. The
Wildlife Ranch meets all requirements of CITES and thus is able to obtain alligator hide and meat sales permits.F a u n a
There is surprisingly rich wildlife on the farm, mainly due to the existence of the lake. There is Puma, Jaguar, gray and red Boar, Deer, Red Deer, Anteater, Coati, Armadillos, Carpincho, Red Wolf, snakes and rodents. An enormous wealth of swamp birds, such as Flamingoes and Tero-Tero are also common. The wildlife includes species nearing extinction, such as the "Tatu Carreta" (a kind of big Armadillo) which weighs approximately 133 lb. (60 kg.) and the pre-historic "Taguá". Additionally, there are about 500 Australian Buffalo weighing an average of 2,664 lb. (1,200 kg.), and countless other smaller animals.
In the lake there is a population of over 25,000 American crocodiles (Caiman Yacare), as well as crabs and 13 species of fish, according to a census conducted by Dr. Claude Vaucher and Dr. Alain Chambrier of the Geneva Natural Science Museum.
The annual average temperature is 82.4ºF (28ºC)
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Where on earth is this located?
Pure Adventure! In a Wildlife Ranch set in the deepest jungle.