AGP Executive Report

Wildlife & Research: Bolivia’s Amazon “ghost dog” (short-eared dog) was captured on trail cameras by WCS’s Bolivia team, with a 25-year camera-trap study suggesting the elusive species may be more common than once thought and that it’s not strictly nocturnal. Forest Conservation & Livelihoods: A report highlights how Brazil nuts—harvested in the wild across Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil—depend on intact rainforest ecosystems, with Bolivia exporting nearly 28,000 tons annually and the tree’s reproduction tied to healthy forest keystone species. Climate Impacts on Culture: New research describes how glacier retreat in the Andes is experienced as a spiritual loss by Indigenous communities, including Aymara and Quechua practices shifting as ice disappears. Water Access: A new map-based overview says more than 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, with huge gaps between wealthy regions and low-income countries. Seeds for Biodiversity: A Latin America seed-banking push is expanding capabilities across Colombia, Guatemala, and Bolivia to support ecological restoration and future food security. Bolivia Policy Watch: Bolivia’s central bank ended its 15-year dollar peg, moving toward a new exchange-rate framework as markets watch inflation and currency volatility.

Venezuela Earthquake Aftermath: Twin quakes (7.2 and 7.5) have killed at least 164 people, injured nearly 1,000, and left thousands missing as rescue teams race through collapsed buildings in Caracas and the hardest-hit La Guaira, with a national emergency declared and international aid flowing in. Bolivia Seed Banking for Biodiversity: A new collaborative seed banking push across Colombia, Guatemala, and Bolivia aims to strengthen seed conservation skills, build a native seed bank network, and support ecological restoration and food security amid climate change and habitat loss, with Bolivia’s institutions involved. Glaciers and Indigenous Spiritual Loss: Research highlights how glacier retreat in the Andes and Himalayas is experienced as spiritual imbalance and loss of ancestral protectors, showing climate change’s cultural impacts alongside physical ones. Wildlife Discovery in Bolivia’s Amazon: Bolivia’s long-running camera-trap work helped document the elusive “ghost dog” (short-eared dog), suggesting it may be more common than previously thought. Water Access Map: A new global look shows over 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, with huge gaps between wealthy regions and low-income countries.

Wildlife Discovery: Bolivia’s Amazon “ghost dog” (short-eared dog) was captured on long-running trail cameras, with Wildlife Conservation Society reporting the elusive species may be more common than thought and that it’s not strictly nocturnal. Climate & Culture: Research highlights how glacier loss is reshaping Indigenous spiritual life across the Andes, including Bolivia’s Aymara communities who see retreating ice as a sign of ancestral imbalance. Conservation Practice: A new regional push for collaborative seed banking is underway, with Bolivia’s institutions among partners aiming to strengthen seed conservation skills and support ecological restoration and food security. Water & Mountains: Graduate researchers shared mountain climate work across Bolivia and other regions, focusing on how snow and glaciers store water for downstream communities. Policy Watch (Bolivia): Bolivia’s central bank ended its 15-year dollar peg, shifting toward more flexible exchange rates as markets watch inflation and currency volatility during the transition. Disaster Response (Regional): Twin earthquakes in Venezuela have left thousands injured and many missing, with emergency teams and international aid mobilizing amid widespread damage.

Earthquake Response: Back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes have devastated Venezuela, with deaths reported at 235 and thousands injured as rescuers search collapsed buildings and La Guaira is declared a disaster zone. Biodiversity & Restoration: A new Collaborative Seed Banking push across Latin America (including Bolivia’s National Herbarium and a botanic garden) aims to strengthen seed banks, build a native seed network, and support ecological restoration and food security. Wildlife Research: Bolivia’s camera-trap work helped document the elusive “ghost dog” (short-eared dog) in the Amazon, suggesting it may be more common than previously thought. Climate Impacts on Culture: Research highlights how glacier retreat in the Andes is tied to Indigenous spiritual beliefs, with communities in Bolivia and Peru interpreting lost ice as imbalance. Water & Mountains: A workshop on high-elevation climate science featured graduate research across Bolivia and other mountain regions, focusing on how snow and glaciers feed downstream water supplies. Energy Transition Watch: Coverage on lithium underscores the stakes for the Lithium Triangle (Bolivia included) as battery demand grows—alongside concerns about environmental and governance pressures.

Disaster Response: Twin earthquakes in Venezuela (7.2 and 7.5) have killed at least 235 people, injured thousands, and left thousands missing as Caracas and La Guaira face collapsed buildings, power and telecom damage, and an expanding search-and-rescue effort; the government declared a state of emergency and international aid is pouring in. Climate & Water Security: A new push for collaborative seed banking across Latin America—linking groups including Bolivia’s National Herbarium and the José Celestino Mutis Botanic Garden—aims to protect plant diversity as climate change, deforestation, and habitat loss threaten ecosystems and future restoration. Glaciers & Culture: Research highlights how glacier retreat in the Andes is reshaping Indigenous spiritual life, with communities in Bolivia and Peru interpreting melting ice as a sign of imbalance and changing water realities. Biodiversity & Wildlife: A field note on purple martins shows how these birds’ nesting behavior and feeding patterns support healthy local ecosystems—useful for conservation-minded habitat management. Energy Transition & Minerals: Coverage of lithium’s “mineral rush” underscores how Bolivia sits in the Lithium Triangle, raising questions about extraction impacts as demand grows for battery supply chains.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Twin quakes (7.2 and 7.5) struck northern Venezuela within 39 seconds, flattening buildings in Caracas and La Guaira; officials reported at least 164 deaths and nearly 1,000 injured, with fears the toll could rise sharply as rescue teams dig through rubble and aftershocks continue. Regional Solidarity: Governments across Latin America and beyond pledged help; the U.S. said it will send search-and-rescue support, while leaders including Bolivia’s president offered readiness to assist. Bolivia Climate & Water Research: A Lake Tahoe workshop highlighted how mountain snow and glaciers feed downstream water, with graduate students presenting studies including Bolivia—underscoring the stakes for water security as ice retreats. Conservation Seed Banking: A new collaborative seed banking push across Colombia, Guatemala, and Bolivia aims to strengthen seed conservation skills and build a native seed bank network to support ecological restoration and food security. Lithium Pressure on the Andes: Coverage of lithium’s “mineral rush” spotlights the Lithium Triangle (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile) and the environmental risks tied to brine extraction and evaporation ponds.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Twin quakes (7.2 and 7.5) struck within seconds of each other near Caracas, collapsing buildings and damaging power and telecoms; the death toll climbed to at least 235 with thousands missing as search-and-rescue and international aid ramp up, while the government declared a state of emergency and shut down key services. Bolivia Seed Banking for Biodiversity: A Latin America-wide push for collaborative seed banking is strengthening seed conservation skills, with Bolivia’s National Herbarium and other partners helping build a native seed bank network to support ecological restoration and food security. Mountain Water Research: Graduate researchers shared high-elevation climate work focused on how changing snow and glaciers affect water supplies downstream, including studies conducted in Bolivia and other mountain regions. Lithium and the Andes: A new analysis highlights how lithium demand is reshaping regional opportunities and pressures, pointing to the Lithium Triangle that includes Bolivia while underscoring the need for governance that protects land and water. Water Use Transparency: A debate in Ireland over water consumption by data centers spotlights the need for clearer public reporting—an issue that resonates for water-stressed regions tied to energy and mining growth.

Disaster Response: Venezuela’s twin earthquakes (7.2 and 7.5) struck within 39 seconds near Caracas, killing at least 164 and injuring nearly 1,000 as rescuers dig through collapsed buildings and La Guaira is declared a disaster zone; governments across the region and beyond pledge aid while infrastructure damage and aftershocks complicate recovery. Conservation & Seeds: A new Collaborative Seed Banking project (2025–2027) will strengthen seed banks and native seed networks across Colombia, Guatemala, and Bolivia, aiming to boost restoration and community food security. Water & Accountability: Ireland’s debate over data-centre water use highlights gaps in public reporting, with activists pushing for clearer methods as AI demand grows. Climate & Culture: A Nature Climate Change viewpoint links glacier retreat in the Andes and other high-altitude regions to shifting rituals, pilgrimages, and water supplies, arguing climate policy must include cultural loss. Amazon Forest Loss: Amazon Conservation’s MAAP reports 2025 deforestation at 736,484 hectares, with illegal clearing concentrated in protected areas and Indigenous territories, warning El Niño could worsen fires and heat impacts. Wildlife Tech: Researchers are increasingly using AI to speed up bird monitoring and conservation decisions, turning large audio and image collections into faster insights.

Earthquake Disaster Response: Twin quakes (7.2 and 7.5) struck northern Venezuela within seconds, killing at least 164 and injuring about 971, with La Guaira hit hardest and officials warning the toll could rise as rescue teams dig through collapsed buildings and aftershocks continue. Regional Solidarity: Governments across Latin America and beyond pledged support; Bolivia’s president said the country is ready to assist, while the U.S. said it will send search-and-rescue help and other partners offered humanitarian aid. Infrastructure Disruption: Reports point to damage to power and telecom systems, internet connectivity drops, and temporary closures such as Caracas’s airport, complicating relief operations. Bolivia Conservation & Water Security: A separate Bolivia-focused item highlights progress restoring Tunari’s protected area via community wildfire brigades, reservoirs, and watershed governance—while warning that short-term funding threatens long-term forest restoration gains.

Bolivia Forest Watersheds & Long-Term Funding: A new report highlights how community-led restoration in Bolivia’s Tunari protected area is rebuilding forest watersheds, including tree planting, wildfire brigades, and watershed governance—yet warns that most funding arrives in short bursts, making long-term PES-style financing crucial. Indigenous Climate Solutions: Conservation International research argues Indigenous knowledge and culture directly protect forests and wildlife while storing carbon, but notes Indigenous leaders still face barriers in climate negotiations and funding access. Amazon Deforestation Update: Amazon Conservation’s MAAP analysis of 2025 finds 736,484 hectares of forest loss, with nearly 132,000 hectares illegal, and warns El Niño-driven heat could worsen fires and clearing. Glacier Retreat & Cultural Loss: A Nature Climate Change viewpoint links Andes glacier disappearance to disrupted rituals, pilgrimages, and water supplies, urging climate policy to account for cultural and spiritual loss. Wildlife Research in Bolivia: A study using long-term camera traps and remote sensing sheds new light on the Amazon’s “ghost dog” (short-eared dog), including records from Bolivia’s protected landscapes. Regional Climate Pressure: Extreme heat warnings and broader public perception gaps on climate seriousness underscore rising urgency for adaptation and action.

Bolivia Forest Finance: A new push to protect Bolivia’s forest watersheds is gaining momentum through sustainable finance, aiming to keep long-term restoration on track instead of relying on short projects. Indigenous Climate Leadership: Research highlights Indigenous cultural practices as a real climate solution, linking stewardship, biodiversity, and carbon storage to how lands are cared for. Amazon Wildlife Research: A long-running camera-trap effort is shedding new light on the Amazon’s “ghost dog” (short-eared dog), suggesting it’s less rare than feared but still dependent on protected forests. Water & Governance in the Andes: Community-led restoration around Bolivia’s Tunari protected area shows what works—tree planting, wildfire brigades, reservoirs, and watershed governance—while underscoring the need for stable, long-term funding. Extreme Heat Alert: A severe heat warning is in effect in Arizona, a reminder that climate impacts are already driving urgent public-health risks across the region. Climate Connectivity Mapping: A new study maps Amazon upslope corridors to help target land protection and improve species resilience as warming accelerates.

Bolivia Crisis & Travel Risk: Bolivia’s state of emergency has triggered clashes and road blockades around La Paz and the wider country, disrupting fuel, food, and essentials—prompting UK travel advice to warn against visiting a popular destination tied to Lake Titicaca and Copacabana. Wildlife Research (Amazon): A long-running camera-trap study suggests the Amazon’s “ghost dog” (short-eared dog) is less rare than feared, with new findings from Bolivia and Peru pointing to protected-forest dependence. Climate & Heat: Extreme heat warnings hit Arizona’s counties, underscoring how hotter conditions are stressing communities and outdoor workers. Climate Perception: A new global survey finds people often underestimate how seriously others view climate change, a gap that could shape public support for action. BRICS Diplomacy: BRICS marked its 20th anniversary in Moscow, with India’s 2026 theme stressing resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. Water & Biodiversity Planning: A new Amazon mapping effort identifies upslope “corridors” that could help species shift uphill as warming reshapes habitats. Extreme Weather Disruptions: A World Cup match in Philadelphia was delayed by severe storms and lightning, a reminder that extreme weather is increasingly disrupting daily life. Critical Minerals & Power: Coverage highlights how military and tech demand for minerals like lithium and rare earths is accelerating, raising Indigenous consent and environmental safeguard concerns.

Extreme Heat Alert: Arizona issued an extreme heat warning for 10 counties, with highs up to 114°F, urging residents to limit outdoor activity and hydrate often. Climate Perception Gap: A new survey graphic finds people often underestimate how much others view climate change as a serious threat—suggesting public support for action may be stronger than assumed. Bolivia Protests Update: Former President Evo Morales and allied federations announced a pause in remaining road blockades in Cochabamba’s Tropic region amid the government’s state of exception. Wildlife Research (Amazon): A long-running camera-trap study sheds new detail on the Amazon’s “ghost dog” (short-eared dog), finding it may be more common than feared but still tied to protected forests. Water & Climate Planning (Amazon): A new study maps Amazon upslope corridors that could help species move to cooler habitats as warming accelerates. Critical Minerals & Indigenous Rights: Reporting highlights how U.S. Defense spending on critical minerals has surged, while Indigenous communities warn that mining approvals often move ahead without meaningful consultation or environmental safeguards. BRICS Diplomacy: BRICS marked its 20th anniversary in Moscow, with Bolivia among attending delegations and a stated focus on resilience, sustainability, and climate action. Bolivian Air Crash: A Bolivian Air Force aircraft crash in Cochabamba killed six people, with an investigation launched into possible mechanical or weather causes.

Wildlife Research: A 23-year Bolivia camera-trap study is giving new clarity on the Amazon’s “ghost dog” (short-eared dog), finding it may be more common than feared but still tied to protected forests. Conservation Mapping: A new study maps Amazon upslope “corridors” that could help species shift uphill as warming accelerates, highlighting where forest protection and connectivity matter most. Bolivia Protests & Emergency: Former President Evo Morales says Tropic of Cochabamba federations are pausing remaining road blockades after a deal framework, as Bolivia’s government keeps a 90-day state of emergency aimed at reopening roads and restoring fuel and food flows. Public Health & Travel: Nepal remains on the FATF “Grey List” for money-laundering risks, with calls to better control hawala and high-risk financial activities. Environment & Water Governance: Andean mining faces a new bottleneck: water governance, with copper and lithium projects increasingly dependent on political and legal control of scarce water. Regional Climate Risk: Reports warn El Niño is returning to an Amazon already under pressure, raising stakes for ecosystems and wildlife.

Bolivia Crisis: Bolivia has declared a 90-day state of emergency after nearly seven weeks of protests and road blockades that disrupted fuel, food transport, and daily life—clashes with security forces have reportedly left people dead and injured, while the UK also issued travel advice for La Paz and Lake Titicaca-area tourism. Wildlife Research: In northwestern Bolivia and southeastern Peru, Wildlife Conservation Society camera-trap work over 23 years documented 594 independent events of the elusive Amazonian short-eared “ghost dog,” suggesting it may be more common than previously thought. Climate & Land Protection: A new Amazon study maps elevational “upslope corridors” that could help species shift uphill as warming accelerates, highlighting where forest connectivity and protected areas matter most. Water & Extractives: A new analysis argues that water governance is now the key bottleneck for Andean copper and lithium projects, especially across Bolivia’s Lithium Triangle. Aviation Tragedy: A Bolivian Air Force Cessna crash in Cochabamba’s mountains killed six people, including military and civilians, with an investigation launched into mechanical failure, weather, or other causes.

Bolivia Crisis: Bolivia has declared a 90-day state of emergency after nearly seven weeks of protests and road blockades that disrupted fuel supplies, food transport, and economic activity, with authorities saying the move will “free the country’s roads” and restore normalcy. Air Safety in Bolivia: A Bolivian Air Force Cessna crash in the mountainous Cochabamba area killed six people, including military personnel and civilians, on a civic-action support flight; an investigation will examine mechanical failure, weather, or other causes. Water & Mining Pressure in the Andes: A new analysis argues that water governance has become the make-or-break issue for copper and lithium projects across Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia’s “Lithium Triangle,” where scarce water is now tied to politics, law, and community consent. Freshwater & Ocean Protection: African and Commonwealth nations urged faster implementation of the High Seas Treaty after satellite findings highlighted disappearing freshwater sources and warned that ocean protection still often exists “on paper.” Public Health & Mosquito Control: Hawai‘i reported a travel-related dengue case on Oʻahu, stressing low local transmission risk but urging residents to remove standing water to cut mosquito breeding. Climate Extremes: Coverage notes El Niño is underway and could intensify, raising drought and wildfire risks for the Amazon and Indigenous communities.