ECUADOR | 746 ACRES PROTECTED
Forever Safeguard Endangered Species of the Chocó Rainforest in Ecuador
By supporting Rainforest Trust’ s pioneering approach to landscape conservation, our donors have expanded the Río Manduriacu Wildlife Refuge by 746 acres, strengthening protection for one of Ecuador’ s last biodiversity hotspots. For the first time in Rainforest Trust history, we are coordinating conservation and fundraising by 11 local NGOs and several leading biodiversity funders to reconnect and safeguard fragments of the 3 % of Ecuador’ s Chocó rainforest that remains. Working together with local communities, as well as local and national government, the coalition will halt deforestation, improve on-the-ground protection and management of natural resources, safeguard key species, and allow altitudinal migration by species responding to climate change.
A recent biological survey of the Río Manduriacu Refuge by one coalition member, Fundación EcoMinga, confirmed the presence of these vulnerable species:
• The first-ever sightings in the reserve of a Vulnerable Giant Anteater and an Endangered Hammond’ s Rice Rat, which is endemic to Ecuador.
• The only known surviving population of the Critically Endangered Tandayapa Andes Toad.
• A Fischers’ Hedgehog-lizard, one of the only known records of this recently described species worldwide.
These discoveries reflect a healthy ecosystem with a robust food web. They also highlight the incredible impact we can make together.
Vulnerable Giant Anteater | Murilo Gualda Critically Endangered Tandayapa Andes Toad | Fundación EcoMinga
CUBA | 301,854 ACRES PROTECTED
Making Conservation History in Cuba with the First-ever MPA
Earlier this year, Desembarco del Granma National Park was expanded by 282,194 acres of adjacent Marine Protected Area( MPA) conserving deepsea ecosystems at depths as much as 2.5 miles. Corals that face grave risk elsewhere, like Critically Endangered Elkhorn and Staghorn Corals, are healthy and well represented here. Coral reefs provide refuge for endangered migratory species like Whale Sharks, Great Hammerheads, and Hawksbill Turtles. Local relationships, including those with scientists and fishermen, alongside our partner, Wildlife Conservation Society, were central to this achievement.
A second new coastal and marine protected area, the Cananova Wildlife Refuge( 19,660 acres), secures the last viable habitat for a critically endangered land snail, Polymita sulphurosa. Known as the“ world’ s most beautiful snail,” this uniquely colorful species has been heavily targeted by poachers.
Critically Endangered Great Hammerhead | David Keep African Forest Elephants | Michal Hamet