Record wildfires ravage Peru's ecosystems and wildlife

FILE PHOTO: 'Cholita' a Spectacled bear walks on a tree at the dry forest of the Chaparri Natural Reserve in Peru's northern region of Lambayeque October 19, 2014. 'Cholita' was rescued when was living as a pet and is now in the process of adaptation to return to their natural habitat, living in semi-captivity. Picture taken October 19, 2014. REUTERS/Mariana Bazo/File Photo

LIMA (Reuters) - A record number of fires tore through Peru over the past few weeks, wreaking havoc across the country's ecosystems as grasslands, dry forests, coastal areas, and the Amazon were set ablaze.

In northern Peru, spectacled bears fled burning dry forests to nearby towns where some were shot by frightened residents. Jaguars in the southern Amazon, with nowhere to flee, were left charred on trees. Grasslands and wetlands that play a key role in storing water were left in ashes.