Conservationist Paul Rosolie's Junglekeepers Protects Nearly 160,000 Acres in the Peruvian Amazon

American naturalist and conservationist Paul Rosolie first travelled to the Peruvian Amazon as an 18-year-old, beginning a journey that evolved into a two-decade effort to protect the rainforest. Working alongside Indigenous conservationist Juan Julio Durand and local communities, Rosolie helped establish Junglekeepers, a nonprofit organization focused on safeguarding the Las Piedras watershed in Peru's Madre de Dios region. According to the organization, its rangers currently safeguard nearly 160,000 acres of rainforest.

Evolution of Junglekeepers

Rosolie's connection to the region began when he documented wildlife and explored remote forests. Over time, as roads and development began encroaching on the area, Rosolie and Durand shifted their focus toward protection. This partnership led to the creation of Junglekeepers, which combines land acquisition, local employment, and forest monitoring.

The organization employs local individuals as rangers to patrol the forest, monitor wildlife, and respond to environmental threats. Operating costs include salaries, food, accommodation, boats, fuel, communications equipment, and trail maintenance.

Expansion and Funding

Junglekeepers has reported significant growth in its protected footprint. According to its annual report announcements, the organization expanded its protected area from 49,000 acres to 107,000 acres during 2024, reaching nearly 160,000 acres in its current reporting. Its broader ambition is to protect approximately 300,000 acres across the Las Piedras corridor.

Funding has come through donations and institutional commitments. Notably, the Age of Union Alliance announced a five-year commitment of $3.5 million in December 2022, following an earlier investment in 2021. Junglekeepers also reported raising $3.3 million during 2024, with a portion of donations being recurring.

Ongoing Threats

Despite reported expansions, the organization faces serious challenges:

• Illegal Activities: Threats include illegal logging, poaching, gold mining, and road development that fragments habitats.
• Organized Crime: In recent interviews, Rosolie highlighted growing dangers from drug traffickers operating in the region, leading to closer coordination with Peruvian law enforcement.
• Security Risks: The organization's January 2026 End Game campaign referred to escalating violence, including an armed vehicle ambush targeting conservation leaders and local communities.

Impact on Indigenous Communities

The Las Piedras region includes territories associated with Indigenous communities, including the Mashco Piro, a people living in voluntary isolation. Junglekeepers states that establishing buffer zones helps protect isolated groups from incursions, diseases, and violence linked to outsiders.

Verification and Next Steps

Readers wishing to verify the original announcements can consult reports published by Mongabay or check Junglekeepers' official annual reports and mission statements. Demonstrating long-term ecological impact requires continuous, comparable data collection over time.