Amazonia
Manu, Peru.
I have been lucky enough to travel to Manu National Park twice, the first time back when I was only 19, and the second when I was 25. Both trips were supported by the incredible CREES Foundation, who have been at the forefront of regenerative conservation in the region for many years, turning farmland back into rainforest. The first trip was a chance to dip my toe into one of the world’s most incredible ecosystems; exploring from the high Andean Cloud Forest down to the primary basin below. The short trip provided many photographic opportunities but I felt like the work was unfinished. The area around the Manu Learning Centre (MLC) holds an incredible story of rebound after consistent conservation effort and the planting of tens of thousands of native trees. The area is now re-establishing as a rainforest, and over time we are seeing the re-emergence of key wildlife in the region.
There is nothing more thrilling, and quantifying of an habitat’s recovery, than finding the apex predator. So five years on that’s what I set out to do. With help from the CREES Foundation, and the researchers and biologists at the MLC, I deployed camera traps in the hopes of capturing images of the area’s most illusive wildlife. I spent nearly two months walking the trails of the rainforest, siting cameras and then returning to repair them (a constant job due to the conditions in the rainforest environment!) I slowly made progress, with Ocelots providing the first successful images. Over time I refined my locations and setups until finally, one spot hit the jackpot. My camera captured images of Jaguars, in the heart of the MLC reserve, proving the apex predator was back. A true triumph of conservation effort.
You can find more about the CREES Foundation here.
