Ecosantafe
Conserving Colombia’s species and their habitats
Colombia:
Home to 10% of the world’s species – which means 1 out of every 10 species, is found there – including Jaguars, Tapirs, Piranha, Spider Monkeys and Colombia’s largest mammal The Spectacled Bear.
Species like the Spider Monkey have very small populations and are restricted to very small areas.
The second most diverse country in the world with:
55,000 Plant Species
358 Mammals
15% of the world’s Primates
18% of the world’s Birds (More than all of Europe and N America put together.)
2003 Red List lists - 141 of Colombia’s animal species as threatened with extinction with at least 20 critically endangered.
The Problem(s):
Habitat Loss:
Over the last 3 decades Colombia has lost more than 30% of its natural forest with between 1.5-2.2 million acres being destroyed every year. Only 27% of cloud forest remains. 98% of tropical dry forest has been lost to cattle rising.
Economy:
Colombian economy is based upon the export of oil, flowers, coffee, and bananas – all primary products that cause deforestation. Poverty, inequality & unemployment -
71% of Colombia’s land are owned by just 3% of the elite.
The top 20% of the population earn up to 6 or 7 times more than the bottom 20%.
At least 19% of the population live below subsistence level. Drug Cultivation (& emerald wars) 73%, up to 100,000 acres every year, of the Andes has been lost because of migration and drug cultivation.
Wildlife trade an estimated 350 million live animals are traded around the world every year and Colombia is a leading participator. 90% of the animals will die before leaving the country. Out of every 100 birds smuggled just one will survive! Traditional Medicine The Spider monkey is the first animal to be killed for bush meat; the bones are used in traditional medicine to make a “healing” soup.
Working in La Pintada, Colombia a town with 11,000 inhabitants and an economy based on cattle raising and tourism. Tourism varies throughout the year - significant only in spring, summer and at Christmas holidays. Extensive cattle raising is known to be one of the economical activities that requires the least employees and because of this people are only employed temporarily and job opportunities are not common. Cattle’s rising is also the major cause of the loss of 98.5% of the original area of tropical dry forest in the zone around the town.
Reforestation:
You can only release animals if and when you have somewhere to release them to.
Land Ecolombia currently leases 82 ha of land with a further 100 ha nearby that will be integrated into the project in the future. Corridors Uniting 2 remnants of forest through biological corridor of planted Tropical dry forest.
Rehabilitation:
Fundacion Ecolombia provides a temporary home until animals can be released back into the wild.
Education:
Ecolombia is convinced, as no reintroduction programme would succeed without the support of the community. The strong education programme includes the authorities and the community of La Pintada.
Activities include:
Schools - I love primates - education awareness.
Festivals.
Workshops.
Only those animals, which could not survive in the wild, remain for education purposes.
Alternative Income:
Vital to fight illegal traffic Ecolombia has developed 4 lines of products that are providing employment for the inhabitants of Pintada town and will in the long term support the other activities of the foundation.
Plush reproduction:
Look out for Fundacion Ecolombia products - stuffed toys and soaps in our park shop - The money from which supports the project and people of Ecolombia.
To donate to Ecolombia or any of the projects click here
