Saving Brazil's Rain Forest

Fighting Crime (and Alcoholism) in the Amazon (Der Spiegel): "The world's largest piece of protected rain forest lies in northern Brazil. But can the park's young director save it? Gold prospectors, poachers and ranchers are all encroaching on the forest. Indians armed with hard currency aren't helping."
Created in 2002, Tumucumaque National Park along the country's northern border with French Guiana, "is as big as the Netherlands, its borders extending 1,700 kilometers (1,056 miles). Unique species of plants and animals have managed to survive in the park's rainforests, shaded by the canopies of trees up to 50 meters (164 feet) tall. During an expedition late last year, biologists even discovered several new animal species."

Deadly battle with Amazon's mafia (BBC News) recounts the dangers and issues in the efforts to stop the hightly profitable deforestation of the Amazon.