Wildfires have been increasing in intensity in recent years, burning more and more acres, destroying homes and businesses, and burning through the homes of species already grappling with habitat loss. In South America, intense fires this year have impacted jaguars, which have already lost 50% of their historic range. With your help, we’re supporting an organization focused on jaguar conservation and on caring for those injured in fires. This GivingTuesday, we’re hoping to raise even more funds for this important work.

Brazil-based conservation organization Onçafari runs a network of eco-tourism reserves and has been caring for animals injured during this year’s devastating fires in the Pantanal. The Pantanal, which spans more than 42 million acres, is the world’s largest tropical wetland and home to thousands of endangered and unique species. This important region had an earlier onset fire season in 2024, with 1.1 million acres burning in June, a month that isn’t typically impacted by significant fires.

The start of the season was six times more active than the a 2020 season dubbed “the year of flames.” As the dry season continued over the next few months, the devastation worsened, with burned acreage surpassing 12 million. Amid the destruction, millions of animals were killed.

Onçafari, dealing with its own damage to three of its reserves, sprung to action to help the animals that survived, including jaguars with serious burns. The Pantanal has one of the highest densities of the big cats in the world, so many were caught up in the fires that enveloped their homes.

Among the jaguars for which the organization has provided care is a one-and-a-half-year-old female named Itapira, whose mother Isa was also cared for by Onçafari as a cub, after her own mother had died. Isa was ultimately released back into the wild after learning necessary survival skills.

Teams from the organization found Itapira in distress while looking for injured animals as this year’s fires continued to rage.

They say, “Itapira was found in critical condition, with second-degree burns on all four paws, leaving her unable to stand or move. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was quickly transferred to the Nex Wildlife Center, a partner organization where rescue facilities remained operational.

"The 22-hour journey to Nex, in Corumbá, was grueling, and by the time she arrived, she had lost 7 kg and had not eaten for five days. Diagnosed as dehydrated and anemic, Itapira’s condition was deemed critical by the veterinary teams.”

With the sort of injuries and health issues Itapira has suffered from, urgent medical care is needed. She’s received special burn treatments, including sedation, ozone treatment, tilapia fish skin bandages, and medication.

As her front paws healed, her more seriously injured back paws have required more time. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications are needed for a time after burns heal, as well.

While she finishes her healing journey to prepare for release back into the wild, Itapira - and other jaguars harmed by the Pantanal’s destructive fire season – need medical care and support.

This GivingTuesday, we’re partnering with Greater Good Charities to support organizations like Onçafari as they give iconic animals what they need to heal. If you’d like to join us, click below!