Brazil's Mico-Leão-Dourado Park named world's first terrestrial Wildlife Heritage Area

The Mico-Leão-Dourado Ecological Park in Brazil has received the world’s first terrestrial designation as a ‘Wildlife Heritage Area’. This recognition, granted by Proteção Animal Mundial, highlights territories where wildlife protection, animal welfare, and responsible tourism coexist.

The program aims to respect natural animal behavior, prohibit exploitative practices, and promote observation experiences that provide economic and social benefits to local communities without harming ecosystems. This designation is particularly significant for the golden lion tamarin, a species historically threatened by habitat loss and wildlife trafficking.

Rodrigo Gerhardt, wildlife manager at Proteção Animal Mundial, stated that the model demonstrates how such designations can strengthen the conservation of essential biomes and ecosystems for global biodiversity. The program currently contributes to the conservation of over 40 species, including approximately 14 listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List.