The rescue of the Critically Endangered Peters Ameiva: a story of hope in the Yunguilla Valley

15 Feb 2024
The Peters Ameiva (Holcosus orcesi) is a small reptile endemic to the Yunguilla Valley in the Azuay province of Ecuador. Its bright blue chest and tail make it easily recognizable. Classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, it was believed to be extinct for over 50 years. Recently, less than ten individuals were found in the wild near our Yunguilla Reserve, making them vulnerable to predation and habitat loss.

To prevent the Peters Ameiva´s extinction we launched a conservation and monitoring project with the support of the IUCN Save Our Species program and ZGAP. The project aims to expand its in situ conservation efforts and safeguard the population in case of wildfires or other disasters.

The project includes an environmental education and community awareness campaign in the Yunguilla Valley. The campaign emphasizes the importance of preserving the Peters Ameiva and was developed in collaboration with the Bioparque Amaru in Cuenca and local support from Inti Kamari. We encourage valley residents to support the protection of this unique lizard and inform us via phone call if one is detected.

In partnership with the Fundación Amaru, we established an ex situ conservation program to protect the remaining population of the lizard . The program currently consists of two males and two females, and we expect reproduction to begin soon.

From school to community

In collaboration with five schools in the Yunguilla Valley, we engaged over 2,000 elementary and high school students. They learned about the biological importance of the lizars and pledged to become its guardians to prevent its extinction.

Art also brought students closer to the Peters Ameiva through a drawing contest . The best works of art were rewarded with tickets to our Yunguilla reserve, to the Bioparqeu Amaru, and to Inti Kamari. Furthermore, the Abdón Calderón school embellished one of the busiest streets in the valley with a mural of the lizard , sparking significant interest in the community.

Every action helps to protect this species

The protection of the Peters Ameiva is a shared goal with many supporters, and every action is important. The Santa Isabel municipal government shared conservation messages on social media and and in public spaces. They are also developing a potential ordinance for the care of this species.

The Ministry of Tourism office in the Santa Isabel area, along with local radio and television media, is promoting a campaign to protect the lizard.

Working together for conservation

Thanks to the commitment of the community, the local government of Yunguilla, environmental organizations involved in the project, our conservation team, and donors supporting our work, we have achieved a significant impact. This success motivates us to continue working together to protect and ensure the survival of this Critically Endangered species.

In the next phase of our conservation work, we will conduct field trips to implement measures that protect the Peters Ameiva from predators such as dogs, cats, and chickens. We will also gather ecological information to better understand this unique lizard, enabling us to take increasingly effective actions to ensure its survival.

Focusing on the protection of Peters Ameiva not only ensures its preservation but also contributes to strengthening respect for nature among its current and future guardians.

The objective is to ensure the survival of the Peters Ameiva while also promoting biodiversity and maintaining healthy ecosystems in the area.