(Brazil) Rainforest gets protected status - BBC

[Eugene]

Last Updated: Monday, 4 December 2006, 12:17 GMT

Rainforest gets protected status

Vast tracts of rainforest in Brazil are to get a new protected status.

The segments of land in the northern Para state together cover 16.4 million
hectares (63,320 sq miles), an area of land that is bigger than England.

Thousands of wildlife species inhabit the pristine forest, including jaguars,
anteaters and colourful macaws.

Campaigners say the decision made by Para Governor Simao Jatene is one
of the most important conservation initiatives of recent years.

See the protected areas

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Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6205802.stm