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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…

Aerial view of illegal alluvial gold mining cutting clearings into Amazonian rainforest in Madre de Dios, Peru

Peru is a South 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.
  • Madre de Dios deforestation from illegal gold mining is among the fastest in the Amazon.
  • Mercury contamination affects primates, fish and riverside communities.

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 centres on Colombia, with the highland Peruvian end of the bear's range as wider range and search context.

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.

Pet-trade confiscation triage

Capuchin monkeys, macaws and kinkajous confiscated from the pet trade need immediate veterinary assessment and forest sanctuary placement — work WARN's Peru partners are preparing to scale.

Mercury awareness with riverside communities

Gold processing releases mercury into tributaries. Community education and partner veterinary monitoring reduce harm to primates and people alike.

Threats to Wildlife in Peru

Illegal alluvial gold mining

Mercury contamination

Exotic pet trade

Bushmeat hunting

Habitat loss

What WARN Funds in Peru

Our Peru programme will fund a forest sanctuary for primates and macaws confiscated from the pet trade, training for officers on field-confiscation triage, and mercury-awareness work with riverside communities.

Key Species in Peru

Least Concern (heavily trafficked)

Scarlet macaw

Vulnerable

Spectacled (Andean) bear

Vulnerable / Endangered

Capuchin monkey (multiple species)

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Near Threatened

Jaguar

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Endangered

Pink river dolphin

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Least Concern (heavily trafficked)

Kinkajou

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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.
How bad is Madre de Dios mercury pollution?
Long-term studies find elevated mercury in fish, primates and human communities along affected tributaries. UNEP and Peruvian researchers continue to characterise the full impact.
Does WARN run a Peruvian sanctuary?
No. WARN grants to established Peruvian rescue partners for primate and macaw rehabilitation.
What is the most-trafficked Peruvian species?
By volume, exotic birds (parrots and macaws). By visibility, capuchin and titi monkeys and the Andean spectacled bear.
How does Peru connect to Colombia?
Trafficking routes and forest ecosystems cross the border. Planned operations share intelligence and sanctuary capacity.
Does the jaguar appeal cover Peru?
The jaguar appeal centres on Brazil and Colombia; Peru shares Amazon jaguar range as wider context.
Can I support Peru through the parrot appeal?
Yes — parrot appeal funding includes Colombia, Brazil and Indonesia; Peru partner work aligns with the same trafficking response model.

Help the Animals of Peru

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

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