At the age of 27, Ana Rafaela D’Amico is the youngest national park director in Brazil. In order to save the rainforest, she has declared war on the drugs gangs, logging mafia and illegal fishing.

The Campos Amazonicos National Park is like a microcosm of all the problems found in Amazonia: illegal logging, cattle breeding, tin mines – and a drugs route that goes right through the middle of the park. Ana Rafaela has been fighting ardently to preserve the natural surroundings ever since she took over the management of the park a few years ago. She has already achieved a great deal, yet the obstacles the blond young woman from the city faces remain formidable. For Ana Rafaela nature conservation means a life without compromises, a life which sometimes requires a “cold heart”. She has to confront an invisible enemy: it is a struggle of dangers and bitterly fought successes. The small players she can catch; and has to take away their livelihood, but there is often little she can do against the big players.

And yet, Ana Rafaela’s efforts do bear fruit. Since she has been managing the park, illegal fishing has declined and no new mines have been opened. She believes in her success, and that it is possible to save Amazonia if everyone does their bit. She will not give up – this is the only way she knows.

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