Spectacled Bear Conservation Programme

Chaparri Ecological Reserve, Peru.

Rescue-rehabilitation-release Spectacled Bears in North Peru.

"BEAR PROJECT RECEIVES VALUABLE SUPPORT."

We are pleased to report that the Spectacled Bear Project and other conservation programs in Chaparri are now receiving valuable core funding from South Lakes Wild Animal Park (UK) and Zoo de Doué-la-Fontaine (France) as part of a five year collaboration program (2005-2009). We thank David Gill (SLWAP) and Pierre Gay (Doué) for supporting our work in this way."


Chaparri...

The Ecological reserve of Chaparri (13,772 ha) donated by the community in 2000, was enlarged to 34,413 hectares (86% of the communities land) in 2001 is perhaps the most diverse bear area on the planet, an area where Spectacled Bears make use of all the habitats – desert for the sapote fruits; dry forest; cloud forest and tropical rainforest.


Enclosures...

The confiscated Bears are homed within large enclosures (5 acres), each with a pool and large cool den for sleeping. During the rainy season they can feed on 18 plants species that make up a Bears natural diet, where they learn to forage in the wild until they are ready to be freed.


The Aims...

• Protect the existing wild population of Spectacled Bears.
• Provide rehabilitation and rescue facility for confiscated illegally held Bears.
• Educate local people about Bears and their conservation.

Please help!


Working with local communities...

Local communities often see conservation as a threat to livelihood or even survival. But the unanimous shout of the Chaparri community was louder than the roar of the Bears.


Just some of the activities to raise education & awareness:

Snake Pit: Instead of farmers using poison which can harm bearssnake pit.jpg (2084951 bytes) wildlife experts give lectures on how to identify and handle poisonous Snakes.

Park ranger training sessions: Last year 60 training course plenge.jpg (61979 bytes) people from 11 communities learned the basics of captive animal management techniques.

The Bear Cup: Organised annually to spreadBear Cup plenge.jpg (50431 bytes) awareness (and fun) to local populations.  Only the villages that pledge to protect the Bear are allowed to enter.

Alternative incomes: Increased tourism, employment. Stone carvings handmade in our workshops by the villagers of Santa Catalina in Peru.

By buying a statue (sold in the gift shop of South Lakes Wild Animal Park) you are providing much needed income for local families as well as supporting the Spectacled Bear Conservation Programme.


You Can Help!

It costs £1231.80 (US$2,223) per year to keep the Bears in Chaparri and to prepare them for release: Initial fundraising at South Lakes began in 2004 where visitors donated over 1,500 Euros to adopt a rescued Bear in Peru - Milagros. click here to read Milagros' story.
 
Why not adopt a Peru Bear - just £20.

To donate to Chaparri or any of the projects