It constitutes the natural limit of distribution of the tropical forests that extend to the northeast of the Sanctuary and is gradually extended to the other side of the Peruvian-Bolivian border in the so-called Pampas de Mojos.

The pampas del Heath is one of the least known ecosystems in Peru. Its landscape resembles a yellow-orange sea, dotted with palm trees and groves in its interior. The plain is almost perfect, very similar to the extensive African plains, and is covered by a homogeneous pasture of grasses almost two meters high. During the rainy season, between December and April, the pampas are converted into an immense swamp from which only some islands of vegetation emerge, the aguaje palm trees (Mauritia flexuosa) and hundreds of termite mounds that rise up to three meters above the surface.

Flora

In the immense plain, surrounded by a lush tropical forest, some plant formations break the monotony of the landscape. They are gallery forests and island forests, unique plant associations composed of plants adapted to semi-aquatic life and the intense tropical sun. The gallery forests grow as compact strips along the streams that run through the pampas. The island forests grow in the accumulations of clay from the abandoned termite mounds and are composed of plants with broad, leathery leaves, resistant to fire. These microhabitats play a transcendental role in the life of the pampas, providing refuge and feeding the local fauna.

It has dense forests of palm trees, with meadows of grasses. During the rainy months from December to April, the area is flooded and the pampas are transformed into swamps. Only vegetation islands emerge from the marsh, the aguaje palm trees (Mauritia flexuosa) and numerous termite mounds.

Wildlife

Among the animals that dwell in the area stand out the deer of the marshes, the largest deer of America; the anteater flag, the guinea pigs, the jaguar and the tapir. It also has a significant number of bird species such as white woodpecker, toucan toco, parrots and macaws.

The maned wolf, the largest and most unique of the American canids, has always hunted in this environment, adapting morphologically and socially to its peculiar conditions.

Currently, the Pampas del Heath is the only refuge in Peru that hosts these rare wildlife species.

Native groups inhabitants

In the studies carried out on this Peruvian sanctuary, the Peruvian pampas have never been inhabited by man. Myriads of mosquitoes, the blazing sun and intense humidity have discouraged people from inhabiting this ecosystem. However, groups of Ese'eja natives, dedicated to hunting, fishing and gathering, visit the Heath during their annual migrations.

Tourism

The tourist potential of the Pampas del Heath Sanctuary is considerable, given the particularity of its environment and the relative proximity to Puerto Maldonado and Cusco. The upper parts of the Heath River are suitable for river rafting, starting from Puno. The river also has several oxbow lakes or lagoons, ideal places to observe wildlife. In this Sanctuary there are also several ccollpas frequented by mammals, including one of the largest ccollpas in South America, a meeting place for thousands of parrots and macaws.