Pirapitinga Ecological Station, Ecological station on an island in Três Marias Dam, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Pirapitinga Ecological Station is a protected area on an island in the Três Marias reservoir, featuring forests and savannas across its landscape. The site hosts various animal species that have adapted to life in this isolated environment.
The station emerged after the Três Marias Dam was built in 1962, when flooding created an island from previously connected land. It received official protection status through a federal decree in 1987.
The name comes from Tupi language, referring to muddy rivers and a specific fish species. The island serves as a refuge for animal communities that depend on this isolated setting for survival.
Access to the station is only possible by boat, as it sits on an island within the reservoir. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, which affects navigation and approach routes.
The island is home to maned wolves, giant anteaters, and curl-crested jays that have established populations here. These animal species have disappeared from many regions, making this island an important refuge.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
