The forested eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains in Colombia are an excellent example of now-rare natural Andean cloud forest ecosystems. Located at the junction of the Andean Chocó and the Tropical Andes, the Cuchilla de San Juan protected area is key to Colombia’s ecosystem connectivity. This important hotspot creates a home for many endemic and threatened wildlife species and is vital for conserving and providing water to local communities.

This area was isolated for 20 years as armed conflicts swept across the land and kept much of it inaccessible and off-limits for conservation. After a peace agreement was signed in 2016 and an extensive effort took place to remove landmines, the region opened up to activities degrading and threatening the habitat. Today, expansion of the agriculture frontier, road development, mining, illegal selective logging of high-value timber trees, orchid harvesting for illicit trade and water pollution pressure this fragile landscape.

Save Rare Birds, Amphibians and Magnolias

The high-quality forest here is home to exceptional biodiversity, including top predators such as Puma, the Vulnerable Spectacled Bear and four species of Neotropical Hawk-Eagles, like the Endangered Black-and-chestnut Eagle. The Vulnerable Northern Tiger Cat and Colombian Night Monkey also find refuge here. In addition, three Endangered endemic amphibians (a salamander and two frogs) depend on this rich ecosystem. Among several threatened magnolia species, a Critically Endangered endemic magnolia, Magnolia espinalii, has fewer than 100 individuals surviving in a restricted range on the expansion area. Agricultural expansion and road development threaten all flora and fauna.

Connecting Ecosystems

The Cuchilla de San Juan expanded protected area is a vital link in a latitudinal corridor of natural ecosystems along the western Andes. It is strategically located adjacent to national and regional protected areas such as the Farallones de Citará Reserve and the Cuchilla Jardin Tamesis regional protected area. It is also very close to the 107,515-acre Tatamá National Park, which Rainforest Trust is helping to expand by 59,746 acres.