CONSERVATION SUCCESS
Jocotoco has protected the majority of the world’s population of Jocotoco Antpittas which totals less than 1500 birds.
Pale-headed Brushfinch: When rediscovered in 1999, was Critically Endangered with a total population of just over 50 birds. Through targeted conservation actions this species has increased to over 200 birds in Jocotoco’s Yunguilla Reserve!
The Black-breasted Puffleg (a beautiful hummingbird declared and Emblem of the City of Quito) has been protected by Jocotoco’s Yanacocha Reserve which is the largest and only protected area for the species. The reserve also provides about a third of Quito’s drinking water.
Jocotoco’s Chakana Reserve protects roughly 50% of Ecuador’s Andean Condor population which is also the largest concentration of the species in South America north of southern Peru.
After 15 years of conservation Jocotoco’s Tapichalaca, Yanacocha and Chakana reserves have all seen significant increases in large mammal populations, especially the Andean Bear. The Chakana reserve is now the best place in the world to see a wild Andean Bear!
Nest boxes for parrots! Most parrot species populations are limited by nesting sites – because the old trees which had nesting cavities were cut down. Nest boxes have helped the El Oro Parakeet population increase by nearly 25% to just over 1000 individuals. Other endangered parrots that have benefited from nest boxes include the Golden-plumed Parakeet, White-breasted Parakeet, and Lilacine Amazon and Great Green Macaw!
Reintroducing the Great Green Macaw to western Ecuador! The Great Green Macaw is now Critically Endangered throughout its range from Costa Rica to Ecuador. Working with Fudacion Jambeli, Jocotoco has been releasing captive raised Macaws to supplement the wild population of the guayaquilensis population which totals less than 30 birds. So far results are encouraging because one of the released birds was observed breeding with a wild bird last year and this year three nests with young were observed!
Jocotoco’s work with the community of Las Tunas to protect the largest known nesting area of the Esmeraldas Woodstar, has resulted in a community led initiative to protect over 106 nests (with over 5000 eggs!) of the Endangered Olive Ridley Turtle and possibly two nests of the Critically Endangered Hawksbill Turtle (identity probable but still to be verified with a photograph – we’ll keep you posted).
With less than 100 individuals, the [Critically[DA1] Endangered?] Blue-throated Hillstar has been protected by a new reserve at Cerro de Arcos.
HOW DO WE DO THIS?
A Science-based Approach to Conservation
Fundación Jocotoco was formed by a group of people who had a strong science backgrounds. Scientific assessment and data-driven information underpins the strategy, prioritization, and actions undertaken to achieve effective conservation. In addition to Jocotoco’s internal expertise (including knowledgeable field people, PhD and MA ecologists), Jocotoco actively seeks out experts in their respective fields for advice and guidance on its work. This diverse and close affiliation with the scientific community allows Jocotoco to be part of the front line of conservation and helps us evaluate the successes and efficacy of our work.
Jocotoco was founded to protect two Endangered Species of birds – the Jocotoco Antpitta, El Oro Parakeet, and Ecuadorian Tapaculo -- discovered by Dr. Robert S Ridgely and others during the course of his work on The Birds of Ecuador with the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia;
Several new species of reptile, amphibians, inse cts, and plants (including two large canopy trees) have been discovered in the last five years on Jocotoco reserves;
Jocotoco is affiliated with 13 universities and institutions including; Darmstadt University, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Tulane University, Universidad Estatal Amazonica, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, University of Sussex
Over 60 researchers have done or are doing work in Jocotoco reserves;
So far 15 doctoral theses have been done based on work in Jocotoco Reserves;
Over 40 peer-reviewed publications based on work in Jocotoco reserves have been published in the scientific literature.
