Bringing back the Mountain Tapir!

The conservation projects carried out in the Jocotoco reserves are important for the protection of the Ecuadorian megafauna such as the Jaguar, Puma, Spectacled Bear, and Mountain Tapir. Our Tapichalaca reserve became a refuge for large mammals and a link between Podocarpus and Yacuri National Parks, in southern Ecuador. This benefits the migration of various species of fauna, preventing their disappearance.

The Mountain Tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) is in danger of extinction due to the fragmentation of its habitat and hunting pressure by humans. The population of this species recovers as we protect the cloud forests and highlands of our Tapichalaca reserve. Our park guards and conservation team carry out monitoring activities through the use of camera traps and each time it is easier to observe more tapirs in the area.

The presence of the Mountain Tapir is an important indicator of the good conditions of our Tapichalaca reserve and at the same time, it shows that our conservation model is giving promising results. In the long term, our goal is to expand the reserve in order to protect more habitat. "All we need is to protect reserves and let nature take its course." Martin Schaefer, CEO Fundación Jocotoco.