South America

Peru

Peru's Madre de Dios region faces aggressive deforestation from illegal gold mining. Mercury contamination poisons the rivers, and clear-cuts displace primates and macaws into shri

Peru is a Latin American Amazon basin country where WARN's planned work centres on primate and macaw rescue from the illegal pet trade, sanctuary support in Madre de Dios, and education around mercury contamination from illegal gold mining.

Key Facts About Peru

Peru holds part of the Amazon basin alongside Brazil, Colombia and other countries.
Madre de Dios deforestation driven by illegal alluvial gold mining is among the most rapid in the Amazon basin.
Mercury contamination from gold processing has been documented in primates and river fish.
Major species: scarlet macaw, spectacled bear, capuchin monkey, jaguar, river otters.
Our planned Peru work funds a forest sanctuary for primates and macaws confiscated from the pet trade.

What is the wildlife situation in Peru?

Peruvian Amazonia is one of the richest biodiversity zones on earth, with the Tambopata, Manu and Bahuaja-Sonene protected areas. Outside protected areas, illegal mining and the pet trade drive forest loss and species decline. The Andean spectacled bear range stretches across both Peru and Colombia.

What is WARN preparing to do in Peru?

Funding a forest sanctuary for primates and macaws confiscated from the pet trade, training officers on field-confiscation triage, and supporting mercury-awareness work with riverside communities. The Andean bears appeal covers the highland end of Peruvian conservation.

Why Peru and Colombia together

Many trafficking routes, many species and many forest ecosystems cross the Peru-Colombia border. Our planned operations are designed to share intelligence, sanctuary capacity and training.

Key Species in Peru

Least Concern (heavily trafficked)

Scarlet macaw

Vulnerable

Spectacled (Andean) bear

Vulnerable / Endangered

Capuchin monkey (multiple species)

Near Threatened

Jaguar

Endangered

Pink river dolphin

Least Concern (heavily trafficked)

Kinkajou

Peru FAQ

How bad is the Madre de Dios mercury problem?

Long-term studies have found elevated mercury levels in fish, primates and human communities along Amazonian tributaries affected by gold mining. The full ecosystem impact is still being characterised by UNEP and Peruvian researchers.

What is the most-trafficked Peruvian species?

By volume, exotic birds (parrots and macaws). By cultural visibility, capuchin and titi monkeys, and the Andean spectacled bear.

Latest from Peru

A wild kinkajou perched on a mossy branch in the rainforest at night, golden-brown fur and large dark eyes visible

Briefings

The Kinkajou: The Rainforest Mammal Most People Have Never Heard Of

A wild capuchin monkey with a cream-coloured face and dark cap sitting on a mossy branch in the rainforest canopy

Briefings

The Capuchin Monkey: The Tool-Using Primate at the Heart of the South American Pet Trade Problem

A winding tropical river snaking through dense rainforest canopy in the Amazon basin

Briefings

The Amazon Rainforest: How Its Decline Is Reshaping Animal Life in Colombia, Peru and Beyond

Help the Animals of Peru

Your donation funds the rescue teams, sanctuaries, and programmes protecting wildlife and street animals across Peru.

Donate Now