Buraco das Araras: A Macaw Paradise

Buraco das Araras is one of Brazil's largest sinkholes, a breathtaking geological formation located near Jardim, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. This immense doline, approximately 100 meters deep and 500 meters in circumference, formed over millions of years through the dissolution of limestone rock. The sinkhole's formation began about 10 million years ago, with water seeping into the sandstone rock and dissolving the underground limestone. The large cavity was consolidated around 300,000 years ago.Discovered in 1912 by local cowboys who named it 'buracão' (big hole), the sinkhole is now a protected Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) spanning 29 hectares. It is home to a diverse ecosystem, with over 150 bird species, most notably the red-and-green macaw, or 'arara' in Portuguese, from which the sinkhole gets its name. Visitors can observe these magnificent birds soaring around the sinkhole from viewing platforms. Other wildlife, including caimans, armadillos, anteaters, coatis and foxes, also inhabit the area.The site is open to the public for ecotourism, research, and environmental education, with guided tours available to ensure minimal impact on the environment. The standard tour takes about 80 minutes, while a longer, four-hour tour is available for avid birdwatchers and photographers.