Animals spotted ! 🐾

I hereby present to you our favorite (and only) in-house biologist: Dr. Hugo Cabral. 

He has extensive experience in biodiversity research across the Gran Chaco, and has worked at El Retiro since March 2025, supporting the Paraguayan Chaco Neem Reforestation Project. This project aims to enhance biodiversity and contribute to climate change mitigation through tree planting and ecosystem restoration. See more on this page.

The following article presents the results of Dr Cabral's biodiversity research on the project site, El Retiro Ranch.

Dr. Hugo Cabral:

"To assess the impact of restoration activities and understand local wildlife diversity, I initiated a non-invasive biodiversity monitoring program using camera traps and transect-based visual surveys. These devices are ideal for long-term passive surveillance of medium and large terrestrial vertebrates.

Method:

We placed fourteen cameras, including ten Browning Strike Force Pro X 1080 Trail Game camera traps, across the property and spaced them at about a kilometer apart from each other (Figure 1). The cameras were configured in rapid-fire mode, capturing eight consecutive photos with a 5-second delay between triggers. 

A total of 20,571 images were collected across 24 days (or 576 hours), from April 9th to May 2nd, 2025. Seven cameras are still active for continuous data collection. The images were analyzed using TrapTagger, an AI-assisted classification software.

Figure 1: Cameras installed

Results:

For this short monitoring period, we documented a remarkable variety of vertebrate species, including species classified as globally and nationally threatened, endangered, rare, and Chaco endemic species. Fieldwork was occasionally hampered by heavy rainfall, which created difficult conditions for mobility due to poor road access. Despite these logistical challenges, the monitoring was fruitful, and we expect to discover even more species in the coming months. 

Below, you can see a selection of photographs from the ongoing monitoring effort, captured via our camera traps and active surveys.

Dasyprocta azarae – Azara´s agouti

Typically found in the Oriental Region and Humid Chaco, this is only the second confirmed record of the species in the Dry Chaco of Paraguay.

Catagonus wagneri – Chacoan peccary

Endemic to the Dry Chaco and listed as Endangered (EN) by the IUCN. Major threats include habitat loss and poaching.

Tayassu pecari – White-lipped Peccary

A species with a broad distribution, yet classified as Vulnerable (VU) due to habitat degradation and illegal hunting.

Myrmecophaga tridactyla – Giant anteater

Widespread in South America, but considered Vulnerable (VU).

Tapirus terrestris – Lowland Tapir

Another large mammal recorded at the site, also listed as Vulnerable (VU). 

Puma concolor – Puma

Detected across several locations on the property. As apex predators, their presence indicates healthy ecosystems.

Leopardus pardalis – Ocelot

Medium-sized wildcat species present in El Retiro.

Herpailurus yagouaroundi – Jaguarundi

Notable for being the only diurnal wild cat in South America.

Leopardus geoffroyi – Geoffroy's cat

Another elusive wild feline recorded.

Lepidobatrachus laevis – Round-eyed budgett’s frog

Endemic to the Dry Chaco. The species emerges after the first rains, undergoes rapid breeding and feeding, and returns to aestivation. 

Lepidobatrachus llanensis – Orange-legged buggett’s frog

Shares a similar life cycle to L. laevis, with explosive activity following rainfall.

Chacophrys pierotti – Lesser chini frog

This species and genus are also endemic to the Dry Chaco, and like the other Lepidobatrachus species it emerges with the first heavy rains. 

Leptodactylus laticeps – Coralline frog

Another endemic species of the Dry Chaco, and one of the most beautiful frog species in the Chaco. This species is considered Near threatened by the IUCN.

Oxyrhopus rhombifer inaequifasciatus – Diamondback flame snake

Phalotris tricolor – Tricolored borrowing snake

Another endemic species from the Chaco.

Spectrolebias chacoensis – Annual killifish

This small, rare fish is among the least documented vertebrates globally. To date, only four confirmed records of the species exist worldwide. The discovery of S. chacoensis at El Retiro thus represents the fifth known occurrence. The species is endemic to a small area of the Paraguayan Dry Chaco, and very little is known about its biology, ecology, or population trends. Due to its rarity and highly localized distribution, S. chacoensis is currently classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Further research is planned to better understand this species, in collaboration with ichthyologists from Paraguay. As show on the map, its distribution is extremely restricted, highlighting the importance of targeted conservation efforts.

Distribution of Spectrolebias chacoensis in the Paraguayan Chaco, and the location in southern South America. 

1. New record of the species in Estancia El Retiro, blue circle. 

2. General view of the species distribution in the Paraguayan Chaco, black circle represents the historical records of the species. 

3. Location of El Retiro in southern South America, showing the area where S. chacoensis is found."

   
   
   
   

   Spectrolebias chacoensis – Annual killifish female

   

   
   

   Spectrolebias chacoensis – Annual killifish male