Oficina de Observação e Identificação de Rastros de Mamíferos Silvestres no 19º Festival de Inverno de Bonito, 2018
Entre os dias 25 e 27 de julho ocorreu a oficina de Técnicas de Observação e Identificação de Rastros de Mamíferos Silvestres e esta é a primeira vez que o Festival inclui de forma direta uma oficina que trata especificamente de animais silvestres e sua história natural no contexto cultural, onde a conexão entre ciência e cultura se revela presente e o diálogo necessário. Basta perceber essas inter-relações.
A região da Serra da Bodoquena, da qual Bonito é integrante, recebe muitos turistas para a observação de vida selvagem. Muitos desses ecoturistas viajam de várias partes do mundo em busca de experiências com a natureza que inclui a observação de rastros e outros sinais deixados pelos mamíferos.
A oficina teve o propósito de apresentar e exercitar técnicas de observação, interpretação e identificação das espécies de mamíferos por meio dos rastros deixados na natureza. Um convite à valorização da diversidade cultural e da fauna silvestre de uma das regiões naturais mais belas e encantadoras do mundo. 
A união entre os patrimônios natural e cultural é pauta importante para políticas públicas, onde a conservação de ambos os patrimônios é imperativa para a sustentabilidade em curto, médio e longo prazo. Gratidão à equipe da Gerência do Patrimônio Histórico e Cultural da Fundação de Cultura e à Secretaria de Cultura e Cidadania-MS, pelo apoio e ação visionária de inclusão da oficina na programação do Festival, algo inovador e necessário no nosso tempo.Acompanhe abaixo alguns depoimentos dos participantes:
Participar da oficina de rastros nos transportou a uma outra perspectiva acerca da comunhão entre flora e fauna, da qual somos participantes. Aos leigos como eu foi perfeitamente possível se integrar aos experts e contribuir com as aulas, por meio da troca de experiências e de forma a conhecer os animais presentes no Mato Grosso do Sul. A oficina foi ministrada de forma simples e leve, e, sem dúvida, nos fez enxergar o mundo com mais integração à natureza. (Sarita Souza).
Nos sentimos com muita sorte de haver tido essa experiência com o Instituto Mamede. Já estamos pensando na próxima viagem ao MS e a visita ao Instituto Mamede que promove esse trabalho tão essencial de educação e conservação ambiental junto com o empoderamento das comunidades locais. A inclusão faz com que a conscientização aconteça gerando a preservação dessa nossa terra já tão explorada.
Em vários países estamos vendo uma redução nos esforços do governo voltados a conservação e manutenção do meio ambiente. Trabalhos como o do Instituto Mamede, nunca foram tão necessários. Obrigada pela experiência inesquecível! (Gabriela Mateu)
While on a trip to Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil my family and I had a unique opportunity to participate in a course that went beyond the ecotourism common to the area. During the Festival de Inverno de Bonito, Biologists Simone Mamede and Maristela Benites, both renowned in their respective fields, presented a three day workshop which started as a classroom learning experience. When I was told about the opportunity, I wasn’t sure it would be a good use of precious vacation time as I don’t speak Portuguese, but my family assured me they would serve as the interpreters. I cannot imagine how I would have felt had I passed up this opportunity. It changed my perspective of Brazil and was the highlight of the trip. 
I must start by say both Simone and Maristela are excellent instructors and their passion for wildlife in Brazil comes through their instruction. Once we introduced ourselves, and I told them I didn’t speak Portuguese, Maristela immediately made me feel comfortable by giving me a bilingual field guide so I could follow along. I was able to parallel the slides, in which they described in great detail how we would be looking for animals, animal signs, and taking impressions of foot tracks, with the information in the field guide. This allowed me to take away a great deal of information while learning the names of a lot of animals in Portuguese. They also described how it is necessary to use all of your senses when looking for animals and proved their keen observational skills on the second day in the field. 
The next morning we took a bus to a preserved piece of privately owned land. We observed a Anta (Tapir), capybara, and vermillion curicaca. We took impressions of the foot tracks of a queixada (white-tipped Peccary), a capybara, and the tapir. We also saw the burrows of the formiga-leão (Antlion) and Tatu (Armadillo). With each step, Simone and Maristela opened our eyes to the wild world around us. As we walked a trail that paralleled the Formoso river to the point it meets the Mimoso river our leaders provided insights into the flora and fauna. They spoke about the medicinal properties of the native plants and the other sights and smells that identified which species frequented the areas. They allowed members of the group, myself included, to cast the impressions of the tracks. Simone was very patient with everyone and their varying skills and abilities. I was thrilled to take home the impression of my favorite animal, the adorable capybara. We finished the morning with the property owner and enjoyed cafezinho (little coffee), fresh guavira (Guavira) juice, and delicious orange cake. On the way out of the land, Maristela once again showed me compassion and identified bird species around us while providing a guide that offered the names in English. Her ability to spot aviary and identify it rapidly is unparalleled. In the afternoon, we took a longer journey by bus to the Parque Nacional Serra da Bodoquena. Before entering the park, in the protected space around it, there was a pond where the water had receded. The winter months are the dry season in this area and this dry season has been particularly harsh with water loss every day. This led to an incredible sight with well-preserved footprints all around the waters edge. Simone and Maristela, along with other monitors who protect the park, immediately exited the bus to observe the prints. To our excitement, they spotted the very large prints of an Onça -pintada (Painted Jaguar) the larger of the jaguar species that inhabit the area. The tracks were very fresh and likely from the same morning.
We also took impressions of a Lobinho (Brazilian Wolf) before hiking a trail that is not open to the public. The park monitors led us through an intense trail that was not fully cleared. They pointed out different mammal signs and flora. It was wonderful to hear from the park monitors, which are similar to a park ranger in the U.S., about all of the different species they’ve observed directly and indirectly in the park. That day they learned the skills of taking impressions from our instructors. It was edifying for everyone.
To conclude an exciting day, on the bus ride back to Bonito we saw two adult anteaters and exited the bus for a closer look. We were amazed to see one anteater with a baby on her back. It was a precious moment seeing such a unique creature in her habitat with her young child on her back. As large as they were, they seemed to be very gentle as they glided across the field getting their fill of insects. I never knew just how huge an anteater could grow to be and how slowly they moved. This graceful slow movement has made their number one killer vehicles. If you’re ever driving in Brazil, please take care not to kill wildlife.
The third day, we talked a lot about conservation efforts that have been reversed in the current political climate and the importance of retaining preserved land. We spoke about the unique biodiversity of MS and the Pantanal. We also shared an item with the group. Some brought books, others useful household items, and others brought recycled products. I was blessed to receive a field guide I intended to purchase (Simone was a contributor)! Through the three days, everyone seemed to gain a reenergized, renewed spirit for their home. It was encouraging to see a group of people, passionate about protecting the rugged wild of Brazil.
My personal takeaway was profound. I observed more species of animals on this trip than I have ever seen. In one day, we saw or observed signs of over 36% of the medium to large mammals in the region. I leave Brazil with a keen appreciation of the natural environment. In the three weeks we were there, we saw over 25 different species of birds that we were able to identify and 18 mammals. If you are interested in experiencing nature, Bonito-MS, is the place to go for sustainable ecotourism. This trip reopened my eyes to the world around me. Thanks to the hard work, perseverance, and dedication of Simone and Maristela, I gained a love of not just looking for animals, but using all of my sense to observe the natural world.
It is important to note that Bonito’s model of sustainable ecotourism has been recognized internationally and studied by organizations such as the United Nations. Each trip you take, be it paddle boarding, bird watching, or even a trip on a four wheeler, it must be booked through a tour agency. That being said, without the research and suggestions from Agency Turismo Arara Azul we would have never known about this workshop. They suggested that we look into what was being offered during the Festival de Inverno de Bonito. Once we decided we wanted to participate, they took care of ensuring we were registered, the location, and the times. Throughout our whole trip, the agency served as a collective of local experts who ensured our trips were booked, they went smoothly, and all of our needs were met. I cannot recommend this agency enough!
Through the commitment of the town of Bonito this truly priceless experience was price less. A course that offered so much to its participants was opened to the public, not just tour guides, for the first time and was completely free to participants. The support of the town along with the expertise and spirit of Simone and Maristela made this the most impactful part of my trip. I plan to work closely with them and the Instituto Mamede de Pesquisa Ambiental e Ecoturismo in the future. (Adrien L. McDonald)
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