Rare bird discovery fuels conservation success in Ecuador
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Thirty years ago, ornithologist Robert Ridgely spotted a jocotoco antpitta, a rare bird, in the cloud forests of Ecuador, and then established the Fundación Jocotoco to protect its habitat.
Ridgely focused on preserving biodiversity in the Andes mountains, a region with many unique species. The Fundación Jocotoco now manages 16 reserves across Ecuador, safeguarding over 250 bird species and numerous other plants and animals. The organization’s approach involves working with local communities, providing them with economic benefits from conservation efforts.
This collaboration helps ensure the long-term sustainability of the reserves. The initial discovery of the jocotoco antpitta spurred broader conservation work beyond just that single species. The Fundación Jocotoco has become a model for conservation globally, demonstrating how protecting a single, charismatic species can lead to the preservation of entire ecosystems. The reserves also protect vital watersheds and contribute to climate change mitigation.
Juan Carlos Crespo and Fredy Ramón Castillo work as guides and rangers, helping to monitor the antpitta and its habitat.
