page_title: Beni Department
section_title: Flora and fauna
hierarchical_section_title: Beni Department / Flora and fauna
caption_attribution_description: A capybara family in the region of Rurrenabaque, in Bolivia. Magyar: Figyelő vízidisznócsalád
context_page_description: Beni, sometimes El Beni, is a northeastern department of Bolivia, in the lowlands region of the country. It is the second-largest department in the country, covering 213,564 square kilometers, and it was created by supreme decree on November 18, 1842 during the administration of General José Ballivián. Its capital is Trinidad.
context_section_description: In the region's many rivers over 400 species of fish have been found. Trinidad has an entire museum, the Museo Ictícola, dedicated to Beni's fish fauna which is the third largest of its type in South America. The most commonly fished and consumed species are pacú, tambaquí, surubí, palometa (a type of piranha), sábalo, bagre (catfish), and blanquillo. Alligators are also hunted for their leather and meat, which is considered a delicacy and is a common part of meals in Beni. Beni now also exports huge amounts of lumber, although over the past 20 years the government of Bolivia has worked with numerous international entities and NGOs to certify its lumber concessions and all lumber exported must be accompanied by certificates of origin.
caption: Capybara family in the region of Rurrenabaque, Beni Dept.
exif: {}