Paulo Ferreira owns the South-American Wildlife Park on Horse Reality where he takes care of the wild Pantaneiro Horses. He's excited to show you the gorgeous landscapes and of course the fantastic horses!
| Paulo Ferreira | |
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| Occupation | Owner of the South-American Wildlife Park |
| Age | 55 |
| Height | 187cm (6′2″) |
| Family Background | Lives in Brazil with his brothers |
| Link | Here |
¶ Background
From as early as he could remember, Paulo’s life revolved around the cattle and horses of a small Fazenda on the outskirts of Poconé. A solitary child, he spent his boyhood days outdoors exploring the lush Pantanal wetlands around his house. He observed the capybaras lazing along the river and climbed trees to mimic monkeys he spotted swinging through them. But there was nothing he loved more than watching his father and the other Pantaneiro cowboys work the cattle on the ranch his family lived on. The youngest of 3 boys, Paulo spent most of his time watching his older brothers learn to ride the leggy Pantanal horses, dreaming of the day he could join them.
As the years passed, however, the Fazenda fell on hard times. Unusually intense dry seasons made finding clean water difficult, and crops struggled. Outbreaks of equine infectious anaemia felled many of the beloved horses owned by his family and community – including his own mare that he had helped raise from a foal. Devastated and dreaming of something more, Paulo turned to instead focus on his studies. He was admitted to the Federal University of Amazonas to major in civil engineering, with a minor in animal husbandry, at 19.
Paulo returned to his hometown after graduation, determined to put his studies to good use. Initially, he spent several years working for organisations that developed modern infrastructure for sanitation and clean water for nearby towns. But every so often in his travels to and from towns, he spotted roving Pantaneiro cowboys herding droves of cattle. His heart longed to return to the freedom of sunny days spent in companionship with a horse, riding under clear blue skies.
When his father expressed a desire for Paulo’s help around the Fazenda one year, Paulo was quick to acquiesce. They had never quite recovered from the loss of so many of their horses years ago. Many cowboys had resorted to purchasing other breeds and breeding them to their remaining Pantaneiro stock. Paulo felt the difference in these new horses immediately. The young gelding he rode was larger with less a comfortable trot, tired faster over a long trek, and had trouble grazing deep in the wetlands; where other Pantaneiro horses could feed on grass even several inches submerged underwater. Unfortunately, this was the new way of things, his brother told him. The true Pantaneiro horse population had diminished wildly over the years, first due to disease, then crossbreeding. Paulo was heartbroken. The cornerstones of his childhood were these gentle, intelligent horses, moulded by the beautiful wetlands of his home.
By the age of 27, Paulo had committed all his time to the Brazilian Pantaneiro Horse Breeders Association, where he collaborated with other breeders and cowboys to learn all he could about the history, genes, and behaviour of the wild Pantaneiro horse.
Now, 28 years later, Paulo Ferreira is the proud owner of the South American Wildlife Park, located in the Mato Grosso region of Brazil. While he doesn’t have children of his own, he has his hands full with all the Pantaneiro foals born every spring. He spends his time checking in on these growing wild herds, identifying those that have the potential to be a good partner for a cowboy, and sharing his expertise with anyone and everyone who visits his sanctuary.
¶ Changelog
- Paulo Ferreia's background story was chosen through a player writing contest on May 24th 2023[1][2]