Bolivia declares a national emergency overwhelmed by forest fires

Bhavi Mandalia, Pledge Times: More than half a million hectares of forest are burning in Santa Cruz, a region in eastern Bolivia, at the gates of the Amazon, which faces two consecutive years of drought and high temperatures. The interim president, Jeanine Áñez, declared this Wednesday a “national emergency”, which will allow her to receive…

Fire spreads in Parque Otuquis – Incendio se extiende en Parque Otuquis

El Diario reports: Fire spreads in Parque Otuquis The Otuquis National Park and Natural Area for Integrated Management, in Santa Cruz, in four days of fire in the south registered 685 heat sources. This past Saturday, July 25 alone, 152 outbreaks persisted, while in the early hours of yesterday the outbreaks were 11. According to…

Rare Bolivian glass frogs seen for first time in 18 years

BBC News reports: A rare species of frog with translucent skin has been seen in Bolivia for the first time in 18 years. Three Bolivian Cochran frogs, a species of so-called “glass frogs”, were spotted by conservationists earlier this month in a national park. The tiny amphibians weigh just 70-80g and measure 19-24mm. Glass frogs…

Laguna Verde – Lake’s emerald green waters

Atlas Obscura reports: Laguna Verde This lake’s emerald green waters are a spectacular sight, but it’s not a great place for a swim. Laguna Verde lies in the extreme southwest of Bolivia, not far from the border with Chile. Depending on the strength of the winds, which whip up the water, minerals, and sediments within…

500 species at risk due to fire in the Chiquitano Forest

AFP reports via El Deber: The flames have consumed more than 471,000 hectares in the department of Santa Cruz. Environmentalists warn of the serious risk to the variety of ecosystems that coexist in this natural reserve. Almost 500,000 hectares of the Chiquitano Forest were lost in the forest fire that still affects the reserve. Photo:…