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Paul Rosolie: From the River’s Edge to the Heart of the Jungle

Paul Rosolie is an award-winning naturalist who has dedicated his life to protecting the Amazon's rivers and rainforests. While he gained global attention for his daring "Eaten Alive" stunt, his real work is on the ground with his organization, Junglekeepers, which patrols threatened habitats to keep them safe. His story is about a profound personal journey and an unwavering commitment to a cause that affects us all.

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A Life Dedicated to Amazonian Rivers

Paul Rosolie’s name has become synonymous with the untamed beauty and urgent conservation needs of the Amazon rainforest. For over two decades, his expeditions and unwavering dedication have shone a spotlight on this vital ecosystem, with its rivers serving as the lifeblood of his work. His journey began as an eighteen-year-old, seeking adventure in the Western Amazon, but it quickly evolved into a profound life’s mission. From his early days of navigating treacherous tributaries to establishing crucial protected areas, Rosolie’s deep immersion in this world has fueled a passionate commitment to safeguarding the Amazon’s flowing arteries for future generations. He has seen firsthand how every part of the jungle—from the towering canopies to the fertile riverbanks—is connected, and his work is a testament to this holistic understanding.

Paul Rosolie River Mixer
Explorer Paul Rosolie: Facing Anaconda Power

Junglekeepers: Guardians of the Las Piedras River

Rosolie’s commitment to on-the-ground conservation is most evident in his co-founding of Junglekeepers. This remarkable organization actively protects over 92,000 acres in the Madre de Dios region of Peru, a critical zone encompassing the headwaters of the mighty Amazon River. Their tireless efforts focus on patrolling the vulnerable Las Piedras River corridor, a vital tributary, to prevent illegal logging, poaching, and other destructive activities that often travel along these waterways. The Junglekeepers team, which includes local community members, not only acts as a physical barrier against these threats but also fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility in preserving this precious ecosystem. Their work is a race against time, as a single illegal logging barge can destroy acres of ancient forest in a single day.

Own a Living Legend: "Amazon River Water Pendant Necklace"

Inspired by Paul Rosolie’s unwavering commitment and the tireless work of Junglekeepers, we offer a tangible reminder of the living Amazon. The Amazon River, the lifeblood of the rainforest, is a constant presence in his story and his mission. Our handcrafted "Amazon River Water Pendant Necklace" holds a unique sample of this authentic river water, a tribute to the magnificent waterways Paul fights to protect every day. Each pendant connects you to this living, breathing ecosystem. Wear its spirit and let it inspire your own commitment to the world’s most magnificent and threatened waterways.
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Rio-Las-Piedras-in-Peru River Mixer
The Golden Reflection of a Thriving Wilderness A Sanctuary on the Las Piedras River

Indigenous Wisdom and the Madre de Dios

Rosolie’s work is deeply informed by the invaluable knowledge and stewardship of the Amazon’s indigenous communities. He has spent years living and working alongside groups like the Ese Eja people, who have a profound cultural and spiritual connection to the rivers, including the significant Madre de Dios River. Their traditional practices and understanding of the delicate balance within these ecosystems are crucial to effective conservation. Instead of a top-down approach, Rosolie and Junglekeepers actively collaborate with these communities, acknowledging their rights and integrating their ancestral wisdom into modern protection strategies. This partnership helps create sustainable solutions for the people who call the Amazon home and ensures that the guardians of this land are its rightful stewards.

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An Image of the World-Famous Tamandua Expeditions Treehouse Offering 360-Degree Views of the Canopy on an Adventure with Paul Rosolie

An Accomplished Explorer and Storyteller

Paul Rosolie’s dedication to conservation is matched by his notable career as an explorer, author, and filmmaker. He has used various mediums to bring the plight of the Amazon to a global audience, making his work accessible and compelling. His key accomplishments include:

  • “Eaten Alive” (2014 Discovery Channel Special): Rosolie gained significant public attention for his controversial attempt to be swallowed by a green anaconda while wearing a custom-built suit. While the stunt was stopped for safety reasons when the snake began to constrict his arm, the event was intended to draw massive awareness to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.

  • “Mother of God” (2014 Memoir): This acclaimed book chronicles his early years in the Amazon, sharing his personal journey of discovery and adventure within the uncharted tributaries of the Western Amazon.

  • “The Girl and the Tiger” (2019 Novel): Rosolie also uses fiction to highlight conservation issues. This novel is based on a true story and addresses the challenges of tiger conservation in India.

  • Award-Winning Filmmaker: His short film “An Unseen World” won the short film contest at the 2013 United Nations Forum on Forests, praised for its raw and innovative depiction of the forest’s hidden biodiversity.

  • Junglekeepers Co-Founder: He founded this organization to create a sustainable, on-the-ground solution for protecting the Amazon, with a focus on empowering local communities and securing crucial habitat.

Paul Rosolie River Mixer Piloting a Boat
A Playful Spirit Paul Rosolie Navigating the Waters

A Live Window into the Wilderness

In a unique effort to engage a wider audience and provide a direct connection to their work, the Junglekeepers website features a 24-hour live camera feed. This camera, installed in a remote and undisclosed area of their reserve, provides an unfiltered glimpse into a part of the Amazon that few will ever see in person. By streaming the sights and sounds of the untouched wilderness, Rosolie is using technology to demystify conservation and build a global community of supporters. The feed allows viewers to witness the forest’s natural rhythm and, on rare occasions, even see the Junglekeepers rangers on patrol, directly connecting their support to the boots-on-the-ground efforts that keep this incredible ecosystem safe.

junglekeepers-logo-green-d7120bdf2c3dbc3b1858183d826e3a0aa37215e4c2d6bc4c0dda2a611ff4d847
The Official Junglekeepers Insignia Depicting a River Winding Through the Rainforest

The Perils of the Frontline

The work of a conservationist in the Amazon is not just an adventure—it is a dangerous mission. Paul Rosolie and his team face constant threats, both from nature and from special interest groups that see their work as a financial liability. The jungle itself presents risks, from venomous animals to navigating unpredictable terrains. However, the most significant dangers come from a human element. These include encounters with illegal loggers, poachers, and miners who operate with impunity in remote areas. For these criminal enterprises, the financial stakes are high, and they will resort to violence to protect their operations. This makes the work of Junglekeepers a high-risk endeavor, where the dedication to protecting the forest must be met with vigilance and courage.

Keep them clean!

Paul Rosolie’s multifaceted approach – combining hands-on conservation with powerful storytelling, a deep respect for indigenous communities, and innovative technology – makes him a true champion for the Amazon’s rivers. His unwavering dedication serves as an inspiration, urging us to recognize the critical role these waterways play in the planet’s health and to support efforts like Junglekeepers in their vital mission. By focusing on the protection of key rivers like the Las Piedras, the Madre de Dios, and ultimately the Amazon itself, Rosolie is helping to secure a future where these essential lifelines continue to thrive.

F.A.Q.

Paul Rosolie is a naturalist, explorer, author, and award-winning wildlife filmmaker who has dedicated his life to protecting the Amazon rainforest and its ecosystems.

He is the founder of Junglekeepers, an organization that actively protects over 92,000 acres in the Madre de Dios region of Peru.

Junglekeepers focuses its efforts on patrolling the Las Piedras River corridor to prevent illegal activities.

His work is primarily located in Peru, specifically in the Madre de Dios region.

They face threats from illegal loggers, poachers, and miners who may resort to violence to protect their financial interests.

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Editor's note

This blog post uses publicly available information from various sources, synthesized with the help of AI, as a starting point for exploring the world of rivers. Our editors review the content for accuracy, though we encourage readers to verify information intended for primary source use. We strive to use public domain, licensed, or AI-generated images; due to the nature of online sharing, individual image sources are generally not credited. Please contact us regarding any copyright concerns.

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Amazon Rainforest Conservancy.

The Amazon Rainforest Conservancy is a Canadian charity dedicated to protecting, conserving, and restoring threatened rainforest habitats in the Peruvian Amazon. Working in partnership with two Peruvian sister organizations, they are on the ground actively defending the world’s greatest rainforest. A core part of their work involves creating wildlife corridors to reconnect fragmented habitats, and they do this by strategically purchasing land from retiring farmers. They also focus on reforestation of degraded parcels of land and partner with local Forest Guardians to collect and grow native trees, all while safeguarding endangered species that call the Amazon home.
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