RESERVE BUENAVENTURA

The Buenaventura reserve was originally created to protect the habitat of the Oro parakeet (Pyrrhura orcesi), discovered in 1980 by Robert Ridgely. In the 1990s, the forest cover of this area was reduced and considerably devastated by the creation of vast pastures. The reserve protects one of the largest tracts of bosque nublado in the western foothills of the Andes. A 1,500-hectare paradise for birdwatchers and botanists (the Jocotoco Foundation protects a total area of 12,000 hectares). This reserve, protected since July 1999, is located near the towns of Piñas and Zaruma in the province of El Oro. It is one of the Andean areas with the greatest diversity of birds. It is home to a vast area of cloud forest and dry forest. Fundación Jocotoco works in collaboration with local authorities, and in particular the municipality of Piñas, to reforest cleared areas. Today, its overall mission is to protect all endangered bird species in their own natural habitat, not just the Oro parakeet, and it is active in sixteen reserves throughout the country. The Foundation also focuses on unprotected species and habitats in national parks and ecological reserves administered by the national government. In Buenventura, the Foundation aims to enhance biodiversity through ecotourism and educational visits for children, while research and reforestation continue.