The Challenge
The Jocotoco Antpitta can only be found in a small area of southern Ecuador. This AZE species is under threat from loss and degradation of habitat due to land conversion to agriculture and cattle pasture, mining operations, and logging. Although it is protected within the boundaries of the Tapichalaca Reserve, forests are threatened by fires during the dry season, some of which are started by the local community to create pasturelands nearby and then spread to the reserve.
ABC Conservation Framework
Efforts to save this species comes under Safeguarding the Rarest within ABC's Conservation Framework
This site hosts ten globally-threatened birds: the Jocotoco Antpitta, Bearded Guan, Golden-plumed Parakeet, White-breasted Parakeet, Spot-winged Parrotlet, Little Woodstar, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Bicolored Antvireo, Masked Mountain-Tanager, and Cerulean Warbler. WatchList species found at the reserve include the Swallow-tailed Kite and Olive-sided Flycatcher
YouTube - Near-endemic Golden-plumed Parakeet - Leptosittaca branickii - Rio Blanco, C Andes by COLOMBIABirdingDiego
Solutions
Protect the Jocotoco Antpitta and additional threatened flora and fauna at the Tapichalaca Reserve through the acquisition and restoration of land.
ABC Results
In 1998, ABC and its Ecuadorian partner Fundación Jocotoco established the Tapichalaca Reserve to protect the Jocotoco Antpitta and other threatened birds. The reserve is now 12,350 acres
ABC and Jocotoco have reforested 269 acres with 95,000 trees between January 2008 and March 2009
A lodge and trail system have been established at the reserve
What Next?
Continue reforestation of the reserve
Acquire additional properties to expand the protected habitat for the Jocotoco Antpitta
Take Action
Support conservation by birding at Tapichalaca Reserve. You can also donate to ABC to help purchase critical habitat for the Jocotoco Antpitta and manage the reserve
