The Real Bosses of Rio

In my last post, we looked at the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—the research roadmap for my trip. But, you know, roadmaps are a lot more exciting when they include 150-pound rodents, swinging monkeys, and rare birds that haven't been seen in Rio for two centuries.

Welcome to the (nonmetaphoric) urban jungle of Rio de Janeiro, where SDG 15 (Life on Land) isn't just a green icon on a screen—it’s right outside your window. I’d like to introduce you to a few of my co-stars that I’ll be tracking during the first leg of my fellowship:

Co-Star #1: The Social Media King (The Capybara)

The Vibe: Nature’s most relaxed creature

The Fact: Think of a guinea pig, but make it the size of a large dog. Weighing in at up to 150 pounds, the capybara is the world's largest rodent. They have webbed feet, love to swim, and are so famously friendly that other animals literally use them as chairs.

The Spot: I’ll be looking for them in Rio's lagoons, the Pantanal Carioca mangroves. They live right on the boundary line where high-rise neighborhoods meet protected wetlands, making them a perfect study in how wildlife navigates urban expansion.

Co-Star #2: The Canopy Crew (Marmosets & Howler Monkeys)

The Vibe: High-energy jungle acrobats

The Fact: In Tijuca National Park, you don't look down for wildlife; you look up. Tiny tufted-ear marmosets and loud howler monkeys swing through the trees directly above hiking trails.

The Spot: Because Tijuca was completely clear-cut for coffee farming in the 1800s and later replanted by hand, these monkeys are living proof that ecological restoration works. Humans can successfully rebuild habitats if we commit to sustainable city planning (SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities).

Co-Star #3: The Comeback Kids (Blue & Yellow Macaws)

The Vibe: The grand return of Rio's most colorful residents

The Fact: These stunning birds haven't flown freely over Rio de Janeiro since 1818. Because of deforestation and the illegal pet trade, they completely vanished from the city for over two centuries.

The Victory: Just recently, a conservation group called Refauna successfully released rescued macaws back into the skies of Tijuca. They’re settled and thriving. Moreover, they aren't just pretty to look at…they drop seeds as they fly, acting as the forest's natural gardeners.

🚨 Coming Up in Part 2...

Rio is just the beginning. Once I leave the urban rainforest, I am heading deep into the heart of the world's biggest wilderness: The Amazon.

Stay tuned for Co-Stars Part 2, where the neighborhood gets a lot wilder. We’ll be talking about:

🦥Tree-dwelling sloths who move so slow algae grows on them

🐬Pink river dolphins that look like they swam straight out of a fantasy novel

🐊Caimans, the crocodile’s cousin

🐟And yes... piranhas

Which Rio co-star catches your eye? Make sure to follow my Instagram (@thepetersproject) where I'll go live with this crew starting June 10!