Recovering biodiversity in Brazil’s pioneering Atlantic Forest through conservation and ecological restoration
Lake Titicaca is home to the giant Titicaca water frog, an endangered species that is rapidly dying due to poaching and pollution. Indigenous women scientists and community leaders are spearheading the initiative to protect it and treat Lake Titicaca to restore its resilience and health through various organizations, including research organizations and Mujeres Unidas, a group of women committed to saving the lake. Teresa Camacho Badani, a herpetologist studying the Titicaca water frogs, has rescued frogs to hold in captivity, ensuring the species does not go extinct. Elvira Chicani, a community leader in Perka Norte, helps maintain the local frog population by preventing poaching and educating community members about the species’s importance. Environmental engineer Elizabeth Zenteno emphasizes that Lake Titicaca cannot heal from pollution and degradation without people’s help. These women have committed themselves to protecting the various facets of the lake, its health, and its ecosystem.