Our Mission
The Jaguar Rivers Initiative is a bold, continent-spanning effort to restore, protect, and reconnect ecosystems within South America's vast Paraná River Basin—a biodiversity hotspot shared by Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. This initiative will weave together fragmented landscapes using rivers and riparian forests as natural corridors. It builds on decades of proven success: Rewilding Argentina’s 25‑year track record restoring ecosystems and livelihoods in Iberá and Impenetrable; Onçafari’s 14-year leadership in the Brazilian Pantanal, where jaguar habituation protocols and ecotourism have turned wildlife into a living asset, worth far more alive than dead; NATIVA Bolivia’s 22‑year commitment to empowering the Indigenous governance of conservation areas and Moisés Bertoni’s 35 years of managing Paraguay’s largest private reserve and implementing projects with multilateral and international cooperation organizations, focused on sustainable development and nature conservation. Building on this solid foundation, the Initiative plans to scale these successful regional models across the Paraná River Basin.By reconnecting ecosystems and communities, the Jaguar Rivers Initiative offers a new vision for the future of conservation in South America: one where rivers are no longer barriers or boundaries, but living lifelines to a wilder, more resilient continent.
Deli Saavedra is director of the Jaguar Rivers Initiative. He was Head of Landscapes at Rewilding Europe between 2012 and 2024. He studied Biology and has a PhD focused on the reintroduction of the Eurasian otter. He has worked as a consultant in nature conservation for the last thirty years, coordinating the reintroduction of endangered species (Cinereous vulture, Eurasian otter) and the planning and management of protected areas. He has collaborated and researched in the planning of protected areas (Costa Rica, Hungary), private conservation (Venezuela, Australia) and threatened species (Poland, Morocco, Ethiopia), and has been a consultant for “Fundació Territori i Paisatge” (Catalonia) and the Observatory of Biodiversity and Ecological Processes (Spanish Government). He has been director of SolucioNat, a company dedicated to bird control and management of natural areas. He has written three books on different topics: the reintroduction of the otter in Spain, birds and mammals in northern Ethiopia, and environmental cooperation in Africa. He is a member of the IUCN Group of Specialists in Reintroductions.
Argentina
In Argentina, Fundación Rewilding Argentina has donated over 460,000 hectares (1.1M acres) of land since 2010 to create and expand 10 parks, protecting over 1.6 million hectares (3.9M acres). Twelve extirpated species, including the jaguar, giant river otter and the red-and-green macaw, have been reintroduced and new territorial conservation models have been developed, helping to create four nature-based tourism destinations. As the organization most experienced with wildlife reintroduction in South America, Rewilding Argentina’s know-how is essential to scaling a wildlife comeback across Paraná Basin.
Sofia Heinonen is the executive director of Rewilding Argentina, the offspring organization of Tompkins Conversation, leading the first Rewilding effort in South America with the restoration of Iberá, the largest wetlands in the country. She is an Argentinian biologist and activist with 30 years of experience designing large-scale and long-term projects to create protected areas and restore natural ecosystems. In 2022, the BBC recognized Sofia Heinonen as one of the 100 most influential women on the planet. Her experience spans both the public and private sectors. At COP16, she was recognized as one of ten Leaders in Ecosystem Biodiversity by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and América Futura of El País. She worked with Fundación Vida Silvestre and the Argentine National Parks Administration before joining the Iberá Project in 2005, led by Doug and Kris Tompkins (CLT Argentina), an endeavor now driven by Rewilding Argentina.
Argentina
In Argentina, Fundación Rewilding Argentina has donated over 460,000 hectares (1.1M acres) of land since 2010 to create and expand 10 parks, protecting over 1.6 million hectares (3.9M acres). Twelve extirpated species, including the jaguar, giant river otter and the red-and-green macaw, have been reintroduced and new territorial conservation models have been developed, helping to create four nature-based tourism destinations. As the organization most experienced with wildlife reintroduction in South America, Rewilding Argentina’s know-how is essential to scaling a wildlife comeback across Paraná Basin.
Sofia Heinonen is the executive director of Rewilding Argentina, the offspring organization of Tompkins Conversation, leading the first Rewilding effort in South America with the restoration of Iberá, the largest wetlands in the country. She is an Argentinian biologist and activist with 30 years of experience designing large-scale and long-term projects to create protected areas and restore natural ecosystems. In 2022, the BBC recognized Sofia Heinonen as one of the 100 most influential women on the planet. Her experience spans both the public and private sectors. At COP16, she was recognized as one of ten Leaders in Ecosystem Biodiversity by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and América Futura of El País. She worked with Fundación Vida Silvestre and the Argentine National Parks Administration before joining the Iberá Project in 2005, led by Doug and Kris Tompkins (CLT Argentina), an endeavor now driven by Rewilding Argentina.
Brazil
In Brazil, Onçafari has increased wildlife-based ecotourism by pioneering the habituation of jaguars. It was the first organization in the world to successfully release captive jaguars back into the wild and has been responsible for creating and managing large wildlife corridors both in the Amazon and in the Pantanal. Onçafari’s extensive experience uniting landowners behind a common conservation goal is key to scaling up effective protection on private lands throughout the Paraná Basin.
Mario Haberfeld is a leader in wildlife conservation and founder of Onçafari, an organization dedicated to protecting Brazil’s biodiversity. Born in São Paulo, he began his career as a race car driver, winning titles such as the Formula 3 Brazil Championship (1996) and the International Formula 3000 (1998). In 2011, he shifted his focus to conservation and launched Onçafari in the Pantanal, using ecotourism to protect jaguars and support local communities. Under his leadership, Onçafari expanded into other Brazilian biomes like the Amazon, Atlantic Forest, and Cerrado, helping conserve over 2.5 million acres across 17 bases. The organization combines science, education, and socioeconomic development to ensure long-term conservation impact. Haberfeld is also the co-author of two books and co-producer of three wildlife documentaries, helping raise awareness about Brazil’s rich wildlife. His work bridges environmental protection and community development, making him a key figure in modern conservation efforts in Brazil.
Brazil
In Brazil, Onçafari has increased wildlife-based ecotourism by pioneering the habituation of jaguars. It was the first organization in the world to successfully release captive jaguars back into the wild and has been responsible for creating and managing large wildlife corridors both in the Amazon and in the Pantanal. Onçafari’s extensive experience uniting landowners behind a common conservation goal is key to scaling up effective protection on private lands throughout the Paraná Basin.
Mario Haberfeld is a leader in wildlife conservation and founder of Onçafari, an organization dedicated to protecting Brazil’s biodiversity. Born in São Paulo, he began his career as a race car driver, winning titles such as the Formula 3 Brazil Championship (1996) and the International Formula 3000 (1998). In 2011, he shifted his focus to conservation and launched Onçafari in the Pantanal, using ecotourism to protect jaguars and support local communities. Under his leadership, Onçafari expanded into other Brazilian biomes like the Amazon, Atlantic Forest, and Cerrado, helping conserve over 2.5 million acres across 17 bases. The organization combines science, education, and socioeconomic development to ensure long-term conservation impact. Haberfeld is also the co-author of two books and co-producer of three wildlife documentaries, helping raise awareness about Brazil’s rich wildlife. His work bridges environmental protection and community development, making him a key figure in modern conservation efforts in Brazil.
Bolivia
In Bolivia, Nativa: Naturaleza, Tierra y Vida has played a key role in promoting the creation and management of 12 protected areas, supporting initiatives such as Ñembi Guasu,encompassing 1.2 million hectares (2.9 M acres), a prominent example of indigenous conservation management. Such long-term experience supporting indigenous communities in the protection and management of their areas provides a solid foundation to scale up effective co-management models with the stewards of some of the best preserved areas of Paraná Basin.
Iván Arnold is the executive director of Nativa. An ecologist, he completed his undergraduate studies in Ecology and Management of Natural Protected Areas at universities and graduate centers in Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru, and the United States. He holds a Master's degree in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development and a PhD in Environmental Sciences. He has extensive experience in Rural Development, Climate Change Adaptation, and Management of Natural Protected Areas, having co-authored SICCLIMA (Methodology for the Development of Climate Change Adaptation Plans), the book "Protected Areas of Bolivia: Status and Management Perspectives" and the book "Pilcomayo River: A Transboundary Ecosystem." His previous positions included director of Madidi National Park and the Tariquía National Flora and Fauna Reserve and Natural Resources for the prefecture of the department of Tarija. He has also served as focal point for the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.
Bolivia
In Bolivia, Nativa: Naturaleza, Tierra y Vida has played a key role in promoting the creation and management of 12 protected areas, supporting initiatives such as Ñembi Guasu,encompassing 1.2 million hectares (2.9 M acres), a prominent example of indigenous conservation management. Such long-term experience supporting indigenous communities in the protection and management of their areas provides a solid foundation to scale up effective co-management models with the stewards of some of the best preserved areas of Paraná Basin.
Iván Arnold is the executive director of Nativa. An ecologist, he completed his undergraduate studies in Ecology and Management of Natural Protected Areas at universities and graduate centers in Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru, and the United States. He holds a Master's degree in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development and a PhD in Environmental Sciences. He has extensive experience in Rural Development, Climate Change Adaptation, and Management of Natural Protected Areas, having co-authored SICCLIMA (Methodology for the Development of Climate Change Adaptation Plans), the book "Protected Areas of Bolivia: Status and Management Perspectives" and the book "Pilcomayo River: A Transboundary Ecosystem." His previous positions included director of Madidi National Park and the Tariquía National Flora and Fauna Reserve and Natural Resources for the prefecture of the department of Tarija. He has also served as focal point for the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.
Paraguay
In Paraguay, Fundación Moisés Bertoni manages Mbaracayú Forest Reserve, ensuring the perpetual protection of more than 64,000 hectares (158,147 acres) of endangered Atlantic Forest in the Mbaracayú Forest Natural Reserve, 4,705 hectareas in Tapyta Natural Reserve and 1.300 hectareas of Humid Chaco forest in Aguapey Natural Reserve. The foundation has developed innovative solutions to socioeconomic and environmental challenges, thereby curbing water pollution for the direct benefit of over 30,000 people. Their successful track-record working with the business world is essential to bringing in companies and corporations to participate in the conservation and restoration of the Paraná Basin.
Yan Speranza is the director of the Moisés Bertoni Foundation, an organization focused on sustainable development and nature conservation with more than 35 years of experience developing and implementing projects with multilateral and international cooperation organizations. Graduated in Business Administration from the Catholic University, Speranza holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from MAE UC, with postgraduate degrees in Marketing (USA and Japan), International Trade (Brazil), Social Management (USA), and Sustainable Development (INCAE, Costa Rica). Over the past 23 years, he has collaborated in the fields of entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainable development in Paraguay and several countries in Latin America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Uruguay, and Peru), North America (USA and Canada), Europe, Asia (Vietnam, China), Africa (South Africa), and Australia. Among other recognitions and memberships obtained, he was a member of the World Bank's Economic Development, Equity, and Sustainability Committee representing Paraguay and member of the Driving Group of Paraguay's National Innovation Strategy (ENI).
Paraguay
In Paraguay, Fundación Moisés Bertoni manages Mbaracayú Forest Reserve, ensuring the perpetual protection of more than 64,000 hectares (158,147 acres) of endangered Atlantic Forest in the Mbaracayú Forest Natural Reserve, 4,705 hectareas in Tapyta Natural Reserve and 1.300 hectareas of Humid Chaco forest in Aguapey Natural Reserve. The foundation has developed innovative solutions to socioeconomic and environmental challenges, thereby curbing water pollution for the direct benefit of over 30,000 people. Their successful track-record working with the business world is essential to bringing in companies and corporations to participate in the conservation and restoration of the Paraná Basin.
Yan Speranza is the director of the Moisés Bertoni Foundation, an organization focused on sustainable development and nature conservation with more than 35 years of experience developing and implementing projects with multilateral and international cooperation organizations. Graduated in Business Administration from the Catholic University, Speranza holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from MAE UC, with postgraduate degrees in Marketing (USA and Japan), International Trade (Brazil), Social Management (USA), and Sustainable Development (INCAE, Costa Rica). Over the past 23 years, he has collaborated in the fields of entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainable development in Paraguay and several countries in Latin America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Uruguay, and Peru), North America (USA and Canada), Europe, Asia (Vietnam, China), Africa (South Africa), and Australia. Among other recognitions and memberships obtained, he was a member of the World Bank's Economic Development, Equity, and Sustainability Committee representing Paraguay and member of the Driving Group of Paraguay's National Innovation Strategy (ENI).
Scaling Up
The four founding organizations will engage other national organizations to amplify the scope and scale of the initiative. The objective is to replicate successful projects, protecting and restoring new areas across the Paraná Basin. In 20 years, we envision a renewed Paraná Basin with a network of restored and connected natural areas spanning Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. These areas will feature self-sustaining populations of wildlife supported by the natural movement of species and translocations.The rivers will serve as corridors between natural areas, nurturing life through their waters, and healthy riparian forests. Threats will be reduced, ensuring that wildlife and local communities coexist. Nature-based economies will bring well-being and pride to local communities, leading to the effective and permanent protection of nature.
