Forested region of plains and marshes. Waste of swamps, rivers, brooks, lakes and lagoons. Without any doubt, the biological station of Beni -that has a territorial extension of 1,350 km2- stores surprising and fantastic tropical places that every lover of the paradisiac places should know.

As soon as one enters to this gigantic tropical forest, the caw of the birds cause a pleasing revelation; then, we only need to walk to start discovering numerous natural attractions as the lagoon of Normanda: one of the most visited corners in the station where the traveler will be able to appreciate numerous species of mammals and aquatic birds that travel and overfly the area.

Cavalcades through small tracts. Walks across tropical forests that give shelter to restless, killers or guiltless wild animals. To stroll by paths full with vegetation and enchantment; these are only some of the activities that can be developed in the biological station, located southwest of the department of Beni, between the counties of Yacuma and Ballivin.

After walking by the banks of some rivers and relaxing at the base of one of the impressive trees, you may visit the pre columbian archaeological remains of Moxos, where the embankments built by an ancient culture will astonish you.

Flora and Fauna

The great variety of flora and fauna found in the biological station is simply astonishing. Until now, 2,000 species of vascular plants have been recorded. Many of them, unhappily, are in danger of extinction, such as the cedar (Cedrela odorata), the violet tajibo (Tabebua heptaphylla) and the palo mara (Callophyllum brasiliense).

The palm pachiuva (Socratea exorrhiza) grows in this area, as well as the, jatata (Geonoma sp.), the mara or mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) and the cuchi (Astronium sp.).

The fauna is diverse and wonderful. The river turtle is among the most important species (Podocnemis unifilis) and has been included in a special program to avoid their definitive vanishing due to the regular and frequent dangers in the area.

The pleasant and colourful species of birds like the herons, the harpy (Harpia harpyja), the black duck (Cairina moschata) and the endemic Turdus haplochrous, among others that inhabit this area, are also remarkable.

The additional existence of more than 100 species of mammals has been catalogued. Among them we find the pejichi (Priodontes maximus), the jaguar (Panthera onca), the swamp deer (Odocoileus dichotomus) and species of primates like the marimono (Ateles paniscus) and the manechi (Alouatta seniculus).

We can also discover other animals as the river peta (Podocnemis unifilis), the lizard (Cayman crocodilus), the black cayman (Melanosuchus niger), piyo (American Rhea), the monkey four eyes (Aotus tripirgartus), the river wolf (Lutra lingicudis) and the sicur (Eunectes murinus).

If suitable programs of care and protection are not carried out, these marvels of the nature will disappear in damage, not only of Bolivia but also of the whole planet.


Population

At a height of 220 mts and with a tropical climate, families of the native group of the Chimanes, who keep and practice their ancestral rites and customs, live in the Biological Station of Ben.

As a way to preserve the station -declared by the UNESCO as a Reserve of Biosphere- an integral plan has been traced between various Bolivian institutions and the group of indigenous Chimanes, so that the conservation and care of the area become real.Certainly, the most serious threats that the biological station of Beni faces are the increase of the stealthy hunters of diverse fauna species, as well as the illegal exploitation of the different wooden varieties existing in the area, disastrous activities that have to be prevented.

Without a doubt, Beni is one of the most significant centers in the world for the protection and investigation of renewable natural resources. At the moment, it is under the direction and administration of the National Academy of Sciences.
The Biological Station of Beni is waiting to be admired, studied and, mainly, preserved. Only this way, will the future generations have the enormous privilege of knowing an area privileged by nature.