Only Crocodile and Monkey Bones Found... Worsening Fire Damage in Brazil's Pantanal, the "Lungs of the Earth"

CNN, Concerns Over Worst Damage in History

The world's largest tropical wetland, the Pantanal in Brazil, is experiencing ongoing fires due to drought and high temperatures, raising concerns about the worst climate crisis in history, according to the US CNN broadcast on the 14th (local time). The Pantanal plays a crucial role in absorbing greenhouse gases on Earth and is known as the "lungs of the planet."

Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) reported that as of June this year, 733 fires have been detected in the Pantanal biome. This is a record high, with the number of fires being nine times greater than the same period last year.

The Pantanal wetland covers an area of 200,000 square meters, accounting for about 3% of the world's wetlands. It is home to approximately 350,000 species of plants and 1,300 species of animals. Thousands of endangered and unique species such as jaguars, capybaras, black caimans, giant otters, and hyacinth macaws live there, and it serves as an important stopover for 180 species of migratory birds.

The dry season in the Pantanal typically begins in July and peaks in August and September. However, this year, due to low rainfall, the wildfire season started earlier than usual. Although the exact cause of the fires has not been determined, natural ignition caused by drought and climate anomalies such as El Ni?o is suspected.

Brazil's National Meteorological Service forecasts that temperatures in Mato Grosso do Sul, which accounts for 60% of the Pantanal wetland, will be 5 degrees higher than the average for the next 3 to 5 days, potentially worsening the fire damage.

According to the satellite monitoring program of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, more than 3,400 square meters have burned from January 1 to June 9 this year. This area is equivalent to 5.6 times the size of Seoul.

The fires have damaged one-third of the wetland and are estimated to have killed 17 million vertebrates that inhabited the area. Wild animals such as crocodiles, monkeys, and snakes have been found with only bones remaining near the burned vegetation.