Ecuador Los Cedros Reserve

A huge amount of research has been carried out by dozens of scientists at Los Cedros, which has been a vital part of its long-term protection strategy, giving a clear indication of the incredible quality and biodiversity of this forest. There is proof of an amazing six species of cats, the jaguarundi, margay, ocelot, oncilla, puma, and the western subspecies of jaguar. In the morning, you might be woken by the Ecuadorean mantled howler monkey, the loudest of the three species of primate using the forest. The two other primates are white-headed capuchin monkeys and one of the last remaining populations of the critically endangered brown-headed spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps ssp. fusciceps). The only species of South American bear, the spectacled bear, inhabits the higher elevations of the reserve.

Recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA), Los Cedros boasts more than 400 species of birds including over a dozen species of hummingbirds that whizz through the forest, some only an inch long, the stunning Andean cock-of-the-rock, the toucan barbet, and the colourful golden headed quetzal, as well as the highly endangered black-and-chestnut eagle (Spizaetus isidori).

The reserve is also home to numerous species of snakes, lizards and frogs, often best seen at night. Many of these species are rare and endangered, like the rainfrog species that is only known from Los Cedros, Pristimantis cedros and another that is only known from Los Cedros and one other locality, Pristimantis mutabilis.

Nonetheless, it is the invertebrates that dominate. In Los Cedros, there are literally hundreds of species of nocturnal moths and thousands of species of butterflies, captured in stunning photos taken by visitors and researchers. There are a huge number of ants, beetles, spiders, flies and bees, many of which are undescribed.

However, the stark reality is that this reserve, despite being hailed as a priority area of conservation by the Ministry of Environment is under imminent threat from a Canadian mining company, Cornerstone Capital Resources, which was given a permit for gold mining in collaboration with the Ecuadorian state mining company ENAMI. The court has revoked the exploration licenses of both these companies. However, they have ignored the ruling and continued to explore, illegally. Road construction for mining and exploration practices could result in major deforestation and contamination of pristine rivers.

Since then, the Constitutional Court, the highest court in Ecuador, chose to hear the case in order to set a precedent for the application of the constitutionally guaranteed Rights of Nature within legally titled Protected Forests and we are awaiting the outcome of this hearing. The communities surrounding Los Cedros played an important role in protesting against the mining and advocating for the mining companies to leave the protected forest which is their future. For more info on the mining situation click here.

Update

After many months of waiting, Ecuador’s Constitutional Court has now voted in favour of Los Cedros, banning all mining activity within the reserve.

Read more about this historic result.

Rainforest Concern has helped Los Cedros over many years with emergency funds when urgent conservation action has been required. In response to continued threats to this incredibly diverse area, we are now focusing on a long-term partnership and strategy to help ensure the future sustainability of this special Reserve. We are working together to conserve this extraordinary habitat and the species who depend on it, and we will strive to support their ongoing work with the surrounding communities who are so important for its long-term protection.

We need your support to do this, so please help us by making a donation today. Please don’t put this off, we need your help now before it’s too late.

The Toisan mountain range runs East/West off the western side of the Andes mountains. Running North/South from this Toisan range lies the Cordillera de La Plata of which Los Cedros is the Southern most area. The reserve lies on the ascending slopes of the La Plata range consisting of steep river valleys and high ridges. Los Cedros has altitudes ranging from 1,000 meters at the entrance, up to Cerro de La Plata at 2,700 meters.