In pictures: helping the animals caught in the Amazon fires

As fires in the Amazon devastated wildlife across Bolivia and Brazil this summer, a group of volunteers decided to take action, venturing into the danger zone to rescue animals caught up in the blaze. Photographer Juan Pablo Ampudia was with them and tells their story of defiance against the flames.

You can read the full story in issue #36 of Delayed Gratification, but here are some additional images from an incredible mission.

A volunteer from the small community of Aguas Calientes, Bolivia, attempts to extinguish flames in the Amazon. Animals rescued from the blaze were taken to the Biotermal Rescue Centre for Fire Victims.

An armadillo rescued from the Amazon fires and treated at the Biotermal rescue centre en route to being released back into the wild. Before the Amazon fires Biotermal was a hotel, but it was turned into an animal treatment centre when it became clear the number of creatures that had been caught up in the inferno.

Volunteer vet Raul Ernesto Rojas take care of a badly burned anteater.

A coati recovers in the Biotermal centre.

Milagros, a horse which suffered fourth-degree burns. Despite the team’s best efforts, she died of her injuries.

Trees burning in the Chiquitanía region of eastern Bolivia. Between July and October 2019 four million hectares of rainforest burned in the area.

Read the full story of the Biotermal Rescue Centre in issue #36 of Delayed Gratification.

Posted on Friday, December 6th, 2019 - Categories: Extras.