Protecting the Cloud Forests
Due to the on-going threat of clear-cutting, cloud forests are already extremely rare, currently making up just 2.5 per cent of our planet’s tropical forests. Cloud forests are home to thousands of species of plants, unique species of amphibians, reptiles, and birds, and 28 threatened animal species, including the spectacled bear, bush dog, giant armadillo, and the critically endangered harlequin frog.
CREATING A WILDLIFE CORRIDOR
ARC is creating a wildlife corridor in the valley between the two mountain ranges of the Cordillera Escalera Regional Park. A main focus of this project is to protect the region’s jaguars which are under threat from habitat loss and conflicts with humans.
This valley is home to approximately 170 families – the majority of which currently earn their living as cattle ranchers. Many of the cattle ranchers are older and their children are frequently more interested in working and living in town. This is an opportunity for us. It means more land is available for ARC to purchase. Currently, ARC has 78 hectares (194 acres) of this valley in our care.
Our goal is to turn the entire valley – which covers 8,650 acres – into a conservation corridor. This would help unite the fragmented habitat of the native wildlife that call the valley home. Yes, it’s a big goal! But it all starts one acre at a time.
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