The Boca da Onça Ranch was purchased in 1988 by the São Paulo entrepreneurs Haroldo e Angela Quartim Barbosa with the specific purpose of raising cattle. The ranch was formerly known by the name of Tabogã. Neither its former owner nor the current owners knew all the wonders hidden under the huge native forest. The enormous tourist potential of the ranch was discovered when the owners decided to explore the land on hard walks through the woods. In 1988, people didn’t even talk about ecological tourism in this part of Brazil. It was only in the 90s that the professional development of tourism and the concern with the preservation of the environment had its start in Bonito.

The name Boca da Onça stems from a story told by its former owner, who tells his adventure when trying to save a deer from the mouth and claws of an “onça” (jaguar) many years ago. This and other stories told by the cowboys are part of the regional folklore.

The Boca da Onça ranch distinguishes itself by its owners’ care for the environment. Today, from the 2000 hectares of the ranch’s total area, 45% are dedicated to cattle raising and 55% to the preservation of the environment. The aim is to preserve the forest, the water springs and the Salobra River. All the springs, streams and their respective riparian woodlands are fenced and visitors walk on trails – specially built in order to prevent erosion as well as to protect the roots of trees from being damaged by people stepping on them daily – and by elevated walkways. During the dry season, attention is focused on fire prevention. The ranch has all the necessary equipment and the staff is trained to fight fires in specialized courses given by the IBAMA.

The work of preservation also includes selecting the garbage for recycling. It is a norm of the ranch that extends to all its dwellers. The dry garbage is separated so that paper and plastic can be incinerated and glass and metal (crushed cans) are sent to the city of Bodoquena. The organic residuals from the kitchen are composted to be used in the garden and vegetable garden.