Investigation: Conservation of pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) in the Colombian Amazon
Challenge
Pirarucu, South America’s largest freshwater fish, faces the threat of extinction due to overfishing and habitat loss. This complex issue, involving environmental, social, and economic factors, must be brought to global attention. The challenge was to:
- Conduct in-depth research on the pirarucu’s situation
- Investigate conservation efforts in the Colombian Amazon
- Present a compelling narrative for a wide audience
- Highlight the interconnectedness of environmental and social issues in the Amazon
Solution
As an Environmental Journalist, I partnered with fellow journalist Alexander Campos to develop a comprehensive investigative report:
- Intensive Research and Training:
- Participated in a 4-month fellowship program on environmental journalism and social-environmental conflicts in the Amazon, organized by Consejo de Redacción, the Deutsche Welle Akademie, and the German Development Cooperation
- Field Investigation:
- Conducted on-site research at two locations in the Colombian Amazon
- Interviewed local fishermen, conservationists, aquaculture entrepreneurs and Indigenous communities
- Documented first-hand the challenges and conservation efforts
- Collaborative Writing:
- Co-authored the investigative piece with Alexander Campos, edited by journalist Santiago Wills
- Crafted a narrative that balanced scientific facts with human interest stories
- Ensured the article was accessible to a general audience while maintaining journalistic integrity
Results
Our investigation yielded significant outcomes:
📰 Published in El País, reaching millions of Spanish-speaking readers worldwide
🐟 Raised global awareness about the pirarucu’s endangered status
🌿 Highlighted successful conservation models in the Colombian Amazon
📊 Provided data-driven insights on the economic and ecological importance of the pirarucu
🏆 Recognized by environmental news organizations for in-depth reporting
Key Skills
In-depth environmental research
Field investigation in challenging locations
Cross-cultural communication
Collaborative writing and editing
Ability to translate complex scientific concepts for a general audience
See more
Read the article published by El País, the largest news media in the Spanish-speaking world
Read the full investigation published by Consejo de Redacción (Colombian journalists association)
Related Projects
Amazonia Connect – Solidaridad Network
Event documentation and multilingual communication support (Spanish, Portuguese) for the Year 2 Pause and Reflect Workshop in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in May 2024. Partners include USAID, Solidaridad Network, Earth Innovation Institute, National Wildlife Federation, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Alianza Aguas Amazónicas – Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
Event documentation and mulilingual communication support (Spanish, Portuguese) for the first summit of the Amazon Waters Alliance in Leticia, Colombia in September, 2023. Project financed by The Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation and USAID.
La lucha por evitar la extinción del pirarucú – El País, Consejo de Redacción
Investigation about the conservation and sustainable production of pirarucú (Arapaima gigas), South America’s biggest fish, in the Colombian Amazon. Financed with a grant from the Deutsche Welle Akademie.