Since its inauguration in December 2022, the Eco Park, a space dedicated to telling the story of humanity's relationship with animals, has contributed to increasing tourist stays in Foz do Iguaçu, a city that receives more than 1.5 million visitors every year.
Last year alone, more than 64,000 Brazilians and foreigners visited the park. Those who visit the Eco Park can take a stroll around the farm, which is home to domestic animals such as cows, llamas, mini pigs, rabbits, fish, ostriches and goats, as well as an immersion nursery that has provided a new home for birds and reptiles that have suffered from human mistreatment.
You will also have the opportunity to see demonstrations of exercises by the Creole horse, a typical Brazilian breed, and the flight of birds of prey, the only one of its kind in South America so far. The flight of the birds of prey takes place every day at 10:00 and 15:30.
The activities at the Eco Park encourage reflection on how more can be done for animals and people.
More tour options
During the celebration of the unit's first year under the management of the Dreams Group, on Monday 4, World Wildlife Conservation Day, the Municipal Secretary for Tourism, André Alliana, said that the Eco Park has contributed to increasing regional tourism, especially ecological tourism. "This place is incredible and is in line with what Foz preaches, a city with many options for family outings focused on nature," he said.
For Elaine Tenerello, executive director of Visit Iguassu, Eco Park complements and supports the destination's marketing strategy. "One of our goals is to increase the number of days tourists stay in the city and Eco Park has been added to the other options for tours in Foz. In 2007, the average was 2.7 days, today we're at four days, but the goal is to reach seven days," he said.
More than a walk
The coordinator of the Onças do Iguaçu project, Yara Barros, stressed that more than just an option for ecological tourism in the city, the Eco Park has contributed to the protection of fauna. "As well as having common projects, such as Ciscando para o Futuro, Eco Park is helping to increase the connection between human beings and animals.
In addition to Onças do Iguaçu, in the last year Eco Park has partnered with important organizations such as Iguaçu and the Water and Land Institute of Paraná, which has taken care of more than 100 animals rescued from trafficking and mistreatment.
Iguaçu residents pay R$ 15
As a gift to Iguassu residents, the fare for Foz do Iguaçu residents is R$15 and children under six get in free.
To receive the benefit, you need to show proof of residence and a photo ID.
Tickets can be purchased on the website: www.dreamsecopark.com.br. The park is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
How it started
Eco Park is the result of Leandro Mautone's immersion in the world of falconry. Mautone spent 15 years living and working in institutions in Italy. Among them, the Oltremare Park and the Genoa Aquarium, where he learned the techniques of falconry. An ancient art that encourages a partnership between humans and birds of prey, it was recognized as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010.
Back in Brazil in 2017, Mautone worked at the Rio de Janeiro Zoo. In 2019, he and biologists Bruno Nogueira and Larissa Vasconcelos founded the Falconry Center in Foz do Iguaçu.
At the time, there were only three of them on staff to carry out the activities at the institution, which included caring for the owls, hawks, hawks and vultures, as well as demonstrating the training of these animals to incoming visitors. "This training is a fundamental part of the birds' routine, stimulating natural behaviors and helping to rehabilitate those that have been rescued from accidents or mistreatment," Mautone explained.
Social and Environmental Mission
As public interest in the art of falconry grew in December 2022, the Falconry Center became the Eco Park.
The change was thanks to a partnership between Mautone and the Dreams Group, which wanted to broaden its mission. In addition to entertainment, they also wanted to take special care of animals and nature.
With the move, it now has a larger space, next to the Dreams Park Show Complex, and its mission has also grown.
In addition to treating and rehabilitating birds of prey and spreading the word about falconry, he also wanted to tell the story of humanity's relationship with animals.
More information: www.dreamsecopark.com.br
