Conservation Value:

Sand beaches along the river Juruá are important for the reproduction of threatened or overexploited species, including the giant South American river turtle (Podocnemis expansa), yellow-spotted river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), and six-tubercled Amazon river turtle (Podocnemis sextuberculata). These fluvial beaches also support breeding areas for the Orinoco goose (Neochen jubata), black skimmer (Rynchops niger), large-billed tern (Phaetusa simplex),  migrants such as sandpipers and osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and other specialty species.  Indeed, this is a proiority area of the Amazon for many resident and migrant bird species.  

The many oxbow lakes provide critical habitat for the reproduction of fish, notably pirarucú (Arapaima gigas), and feeding sites for turtle hatchlings and waterbirds. Other large aquatic vertebrates that we are protecting are black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), and amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)

Threats:

Illegal fishing and poaching are the main threats.

Actions & Results:

In 2023, ICFC’s partner Instituto Juruá expanded its community-based management of pirarucú to 70 lakes, including 30 new floodplain lakes in the management model i.e., these local communities are now legally empowered to protect their fishing grounds (oxbow lakes) against large-scale commercial fisheries through an official document called a 'Fishing Agreement'. They strengthened the working conditions of 45 beach guards to better protect 20 fluvial beaches and provided technical support to 24 protected beaches to monitor female oviposition and the birth of more than 300,000 river turtle hatchlings. They also provided: training on pirarucú and river turtle management to 70 local dwellers; training on pirarucú population census to 60 women; training on intelligence gathering for counter-poaching activity and ranger patrolling to various local communities; an aquatic biodiversity conservation course to 30 local teachers; and, training on pirarucú management to the Kulina indigenous people—effectively incorporating their traditional knowledge and management techniques. With ICFC’s support, the conservation work of Instituto Juruá, in the mid-Juruá region of the Juruá River, serves as a great example of a successful community-led initiative that aligns biodiversity conservation with the well-being of local communities.