Last chance to see: the Amazon's Xingu River

Not far from where the great Amazon River drains into the Atlantic, it splits off into a wide tributary, at first a fat vertical lake that, when viewed from satellite, eventually slims down to a wild scrawl through the dark green of the Amazon. In all, this tributary races almost completely southward through the Brazilian Amazon for 1,230 miles (1,979 kilometers)—nearly as long as the Colorado River—until it peters out in the savannah of Mato Grosso. Called home by diverse indigenous tribes and unique species, this is the Xingu River.

"The Xingu River is a symbol of Brazil's cultural diversity and biological heritage. The river and its forests sustain the livelihoods of over 25,000 indigenous people from 18 ethnic groups, riverbank populations and innumerable species of plants and animals," Christian Poirier, the Brazil Program Coordinator with Amazon Watch , told mongabay.com.

The Xingu is famous for the clarity of its waters. Dubbed a 'clearwater river', the Xingu River is a true rarity in the lowland Amazon where many rivers are the color of coffee due to sedimentation. A popular river for adventurous foreign anglers, one travel writer has described the Xingu as "golden beaches, verdant hills meeting turquoise waters."

The Xingu River, however, will soon be lost. No, the river will not be filled in or disappear entirely; but its very character (the ecosystem and people which it provides for) will be forever changed by the construction of a monster dam, the Belo Monte, just approved by the Brazilian government. Once built the dam will be the world's third largest.

"The ecosystem of the lower Xingu River basin will be devastated by the Belo Monte Dam," contends Poirier. "In order to feed the dam's powerhouse, up to 80 percent of the Xingu River will be diverted from its original course, causing a permanent drought on the river's 100 kilometer long 'Big Bend,' and directly affecting the Paquiçamba and Arara territories of the Juruna and Arara indigenous peoples."

Poirier says the Belo Monte will require more land to be unearthed than during the construction of the Panama Canal. In addition, the dam will flood around 66,800 hectares—over half of which is rainforest—and force the removal of somewhere between 16,000 and 40,000 people. The Xingu River's unique species and important fishing grounds will also be impacted.

Amazon Rainforest Animals

The vividness and the beauty of the Amazon Rainforest is primarily due to the fact that it is home to many beautiful and unique animals that cannot be found anywhere else on earth. The animal life is truly tasteful as it is filled with a variety of different animals such as insects, arachnids, reptiles, amphibians, birds as well as mammals.

The diversity of animals is breath taking and absolutely stunning, amongst the different animals that live within the Amazon Rainforest, are the Spider Monkeys. This species of monkeys are known for their capacity of growing up to two feet tall, and the extraordinary ability of hanging upside down from a tree with their tail.


Another animal that can be found in the Amazon Rainforest is the Capybara, characterized as the biggest rodent found on Earth, this rodent also spends all its time living and sleeping in the waters of the Amazon Rainforest.

One more beautiful animal that can be found is the Toucan, which is characterized by its large and colourful neck. The Rainforest animals are abundant and can be found in great numbers, they consist of about 20 percent of animals found on earth.


This area has been the heaven for the Amazon rainfores animals for more than 70 000 years. The beauty of the rainforest is unquestionable, but it is also crucial to keep in mind the amount of precious vulnerable animals that are endangered.

Animals of the Rainforest

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