Transforming wildlife into an economic asset for local communities, pioneering jaguar habituation for sustainable tourism.
By habituating iconic species like jaguars and maned wolves with safari vehicles, Onçafari creates unforgettable wildlife encounters that inspire conservation awareness among visitors. The income generated from ecotourism encourages local residents and landowners to become conservation champions, valuing the biodiversity of their land.
Conducting fauna monitoring and rigorous research to guide conservation strategies and shape policy decisions.
Using advanced methods such as camera traps, GPS tracking, radio collars,the collection of biological samples, our team monitors the behavior, health, and movements of key species like jaguars and maned wolves. This continuous data collection deepens our understanding of animal ecology and physiology, providing critical insights into habitat use, species interactions, and the effects of ecotourism. The knowledge we generate not only strengthens our on-the-ground conservation efforts but also contributes to shaping broader policies that protect Brazil’s biodiversity.
Rehabilitating, and reintroducing threatened species such as jaguars, tapirs, and maned wolves, restoring ecological balance.
Onçafari operates three Wild Animal Reintroduction Centers—located at Santa Sofia Reserve, Caiman Pantanal, and Pousada Thaimaçu in the Amazon—featuring seven specialized enclosures designed to safely transition endangered animals back into their natural habitats. These efforts are essential for rebuilding healthy wildlife populations and reestablishing ecological dynamics in key Brazilian biomes.
Protecting natural areas and ecological corridors, ensuring habitat connectivity and species survival.
Through strategic land acquisition, we focus on acquiring land of high biological relevance, under some level of threat, and connected to other protected areas, creating ecological corridors. Currently, Onçafari manages reserves in 4 strategic locations: the São Benedito River in southern Pará; the Perigara Reserve in the northern Pantanal; Santa Sofia in the southern Pantanal; and a few properties in the Taquari Wetlands.
Beyond protection, we work to maintain and restore these lands as safe refuges for wildlife, while also advocating for the creation of new Conservation Units at both public and private levels. To ensure long-term stewardship, we establish dedicated endowment funds for each reserve under our care.
Raising awareness through programs for schools, communities, and the general public.
Onçafari’s Environmental Education Program fosters a deeper connection between people and nature through engaging, science-based outreach. From school initiatives and community lectures to wildlife documentaries and field experiences, we aim to inspire awareness, spark curiosity, and build a global commitment to protecting Brazil’s extraordinary biodiversity.
Preventing and mitigating wildfires, collaborating with fire brigades and restoring affected habitats.
Onçafari’s wildfire mitigation efforts are centered on protecting biodiversity through prevention, preparedness, and rapid response. We work closely with local communities and private landowners to form and train fire brigades, implement prescribed burns, and establish firebreaks—reducing the risk and impact of uncontrolled fires. These proactive strategies help safeguard critical habitats, support ecosystem resilience, and protect the wildlife that depends on them.
Driving policy change at local and national levels to strengthen conservation legislation.
The Advocacy branch seeks to improve environmental legislation for the protection of nature and influence public policies through engagement with government authorities and other stakeholders. The goal is to promote legislative and regulatory changes that benefit the environment in Brazil, ensuring that the needs of nature are considered in the decision-making process.
Onçafari International supports conservation initiatives across four of Brazil’s most vital biomes, each with unique ecosystems and challenges.
The Amazon Rainforest, covering over four million square kilometers, is the largest biome in Brazil and the most biodiverse in the world. Home to around 45,000 species of plants and vertebrate animals, it plays a critical role in global ecology.
In this region, Onçafari focuses on scientific research, wildfire management, and reintroduction efforts, particularly monitoring jaguar populations and rehabilitating wildlife. Operations are based at the arc of deforestation in Pará, dedicated to protecting the São Benedito River's banks and creating essential ecological corridors.
As the world's richest savanna, the Cerrado covers about two million square kilometers, accounting for roughly 22% of Brazil's land area. It is a biodiversity hotspot, hosting over 11,500 plant species and numerous animal species, including the maned wolf. Despite its ecological significance, the Cerrado faces threats from agricultural expansion and has limited protected areas. Onçafari operates at Trijunção Lodge, located at the intersection of Minas Gerais, Bahia, and Goiás states, and the Grande Sertão Veredas National Park. In the Cerrado, Onçafari engages in ecotourism, scientific research, advocacy, and educational initiatives to conserve this threatened biome.
Spanning roughly 195,000 km² in the Upper Paraguay Basin, the Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland and floodplain, shared by Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Recognized by UNESCO as a Natural Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, it is a unique ecological mosaic where the Cerrado, Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Chaco, and Chiquitano Dry Forest converge.
Its seasonal flood cycles—from October to March (wet) and April to September (dry)—shape the region’s biodiversity and create ideal conditions for wildlife observation, including jaguars. Home to more than 3,500 plant species and hundreds of bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, and fish species, the Pantanal harbors one of the highest jaguar densities in the world.
Onçafari operates at Caiman Pantanal, Santa Sofia Reserve, São Francisco do Perigara Reserve, Mutum Reserve, and the Taquari Wetlands implementing ecotourism, scientific research, rewilding, and fire management initiatives to conserve this rich and vital biome.
Once spanning over 1.3 million square kilometers across 17 Brazilian states, the Atlantic Forest now retains only about 13% of its original coverage due to deforestation and urbanization. Despite this reduction, it remains one of the most species-rich forests globally, with many endemic and endangered species. The jaguar population in this biome is critically endangered, with fewer than 300 individuals estimated to remain. Onçafari collaborates with private reserves and national parks to conduct scientific research, fauna monitoring and educational activities with local communities.
To date, Onçafari has influenced the preservation of nearly 1 million hectares, with over 100,000 hectares of high-biodiversity areas under direct management. Our advocacy efforts have contributed to the creation of key protected areas, including:
Rio São Benedito Wildlife Refuge, safeguarding
photo: Edu Fragoso
Social
Providing training and employment in ecotourism and conservation, improving quality of life and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Onçafari’s Social Program empowers local communities and promotes sustainable livelihoods while contributing to biodiversity conservation. We focus on improving quality of life through initiatives that foster environmental awareness, support income generation, preserve cultural heritage, and strengthen territorial management. By investing in people, we help build resilient communities that are active partners in protecting Brazil’s natural heritage.