Mining and looming oil and gas exploration/extraction threaten rare birds and amphibians in Bolivia’s Tropical Andes
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Species at Risk
McDiarmid's Rocket Frog (CR), Microkayla ankohuma (CR), Telmatobius bolivianus (CR), Telmatobius verrucosus (CR), Yungas Tyrannulet (VU)
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Carbon stored
53,094,603 mT *
*(metric tons of CO2 equivalents) -
Partner
Conservation International Bolivia
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340,500 Proposed Acres Conserved by
Designation
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Project Cost: $1,834,158
340,500
Mining and looming oil and gas exploration/extraction threaten rare birds and amphibians in Bolivia’s Tropical Andes
-
Species at Risk
McDiarmid's Rocket Frog (CR), Microkayla ankohuma (CR), Telmatobius bolivianus (CR), Telmatobius verrucosus (CR), Yungas Tyrannulet (VU)
-
Carbon stored
53,094,603 mT *
*(metric tons of CO2 equivalents) -
Partner
Conservation International Bolivia
-
340,500 Proposed Acres Conserved by
Designation
-
Project Cost: £1,455,680
340,500
An estimated
species live here in biodiverse Madidi National Park
In South America, the Tropical Andes stretch along the junction of the Andes Mountains and Amazon Biome, where varying elevations create pockets of unique habitat that support astounding biodiversity. In Bolivia, Madidi National Park in the northern department of La Paz is said to be Earth’s most biologically diverse protected area for terrestrial mammals, birds, butterflies and plants. Many species in the Tropical Andes are restricted to a distinct elevation and range, making them very vulnerable to habitat destruction.
Mining poses the most immediate threat of habitat loss, but oil and gas exploration lies on the horizon. Without protection, this exceptionally intact area could very soon be degraded by extractive industries. Rainforest Trust and our partner, Conservation International Bolivia, are working together to safeguard 340,500 acres of diverse habitat as Natural Areas of Integrated Management under Bolivian municipal law.
Header photo: Telmatobius bolivianus, by Steffen Reichle
Explore the Tropical Andes
Pistipata Cochran Frog, by Steffen Reichle
Telmatobius verrucosus, by José M. Padial
Black-and-chestnut Eagle, by Camilo Robayo
Black-and-chestnut Eagle, by Mark Wilson Zunac
Andean Condor, by Reisegraf.ch
Andean Condor, by Fominaya Photo
The Sorata Valley, photo courtesy of the partner and Gabriela Villanueva
The project landscape, photo courtesy of the partner and Gabriela Villanueva
Montane forest in the project landscape, photo courtesy of the partner and Gabriela Villanueva
Montane forest in the project landscape, photo courtesy of the partner and Gabriela Villanueva
The project landscape, photo courtesy of the partner and Gabriela Villanueva
The project landscape, photo courtesy of the partner and Gabriela Villanueva
The project landscape, photo courtesy of the partner and Gabriela Villanueva
A pristine creek in the project landscape, courtesy partner and Gabriela Villanueva
Save Rare Amphibians from Losing their Only Home
The habitats to be protected range from Tropical Andes to steep slopes of humid Yungas rainforest to the Central Andean Wet Puna, a landscape of valleys and plateaus with high-altitude lakes and grasslands and snow-capped peaks. Rare amphibians with limited ranges are found here, including the only known population of the Critically Endangered Microkayla ankohuma, an Andean frog previously thought to be extinct, as well as significant populations of two other critically endangered frogs. Biological surveys of amphibians will be conducted, with a high probability that more species new to science will be uncovered.
Increase the Reach of Conservation in the Tropical Andes
The proposed new areas will contribute to a vast conservation mosaic of over 10 million acres safeguarding the eastern slope of the Andes. The Yungas Tyrannulet, a small flycatcher whose population is vulnerable due to habitat loss, lives in the upper canopy of evergreens in the Andean foothills. The Black-and-white Chestnut Eagle and the Andean Condor, birds of prey whose populations are struggling due to historical overhunting and diminished habitat, are also found here in the Andean landscape.
Collaboration with Communities
Our partner will collaborate with local municipalities, communities, and other impacted parties to define the areas to be protected and the appropriate restrictions. To further solidify support for the protected areas, Conservation Agreements with communities in the vicinity are being pursued with the goal of supporting sustainable livelihoods, including ecotourism, agroforestry systems, and sustainable agriculture.
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Conservation work is critical, challenging, and can be costly. We work hard to ensure we raise only the funds needed for each project. In the rare case we raise more money than needed or a project comes in under budget, excess monies will be transferred to the Conservation Action Fund. This fund supports our important conservation work throughout the tropics.
Project Modifications
Rainforest Trust conducts extensive research and due diligence on each of the projects that we support, so that once a project is offered for public support we believe it will succeed. We work closely with our project implementers, offer support, and regularly monitor their progress. Given the nature of the work, projects may not progress exactly as intended and may be unable to meet all objectives. To respond dynamically to the needs of our project implementers and the realities of the landscapes in which they operate, Rainforest Trust expressly reserves the right to modify a project as it deems necessary, provided that donor intent is honored by ensuring that that the original project objectives are diligently pursued and that project funds continue to benefit the landscape and species identified in the project overview. Project modifications that we may need to make in certain circumstances include the specific project implementer, the size of the landscape to be protected, the type of protection to be afforded to the landscape, and the development of sustainability mechanisms.
Partnering to Save Rainforest
Our partners’ ability to work with their governments and build strong connections with local communities ensures the successful implementation of our projects.
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