Pantanal | Dispatches
DAY 6: People

Tasso Medeiros
Tasso grew up in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, where the wetlands of the Pantanal are located. He has always loved nature, and as a result, he went into the ecotourism field so that he could pursue his early interests in ecology and wildlife. Tasso received his Bachelor's degree in Agronomy (a type of agricultural study) from the University for the Development of the State and Region of the Pantanal (UNIDERP) in Campo Grande.

After graduating, Tasso took a position at the Caiman Ecological Refuge, where he started as a guide but was soon promoted to a field supervisor position. He now works as the manager of the Fazenda Rio Negro; his responsibilities include managing ranch employees and guides, as well as maintaining guest relations and planning logistics for Fazenda researchers and guest field trips. In this role, he frequently finds himself driving tractors and jeeps filled with guests, or leading horseback rides through the wetlands on any given day.

"My favorite part of ecotourism is the guiding - showing off the Pantanal. I also like working with the staff - explaining to them the goals of the Fazenda, and then showing them how their actions are helping to achieve these goals. I want them to know that the Fazenda is a global example of how ecotourism can, and should be done.

"Sometimes the job can be difficult. I am required to stay in the wilderness at the Fazenda for 50 days at a time before I can return to the city to see my friends and family for brief periods. But I feel my job is very important for conservation. When guests visit the Fazenda, they sometimes have no knowledge of biodiversity or conservation. However, when they leave, they often tell me that they now understand what this beautiful area is really all about, and what it means to them, and their grandchildren. That is my favorite part of the job - that...and the amazing sunrises and sunsets that you can see over the Pantanal from the Fazenda."