URGENT PROJECTS
These projects are currently raising funds to protect endangered species, including Baird’ s Tapirs and Giant South American River Turtles.
COSTA RICA | 324 ADDITIONAL ACRES TO BE PROTECTED
Bridge the Gap for Species Protection in Costa Rica
Looking ahead, CAF donors have the opportunity to help Rainforest Trust increase protection for a 57,000-acre refuge in Costa Rica that we helped create in partnership with the Monteverde Conservation League in 1993. Costa Rica’ s western mountains provide crucial habitat for endangered species and host one of the highest concentrations of orchids on Earth, with more than 500 species represented.
With your support, we will add 324 protected acres to the buffer zone of the Children’ s Eternal Rainforest Reserve, an area that is extremely vulnerable to the expansion of roads and infrastructure related to the growing tourism trade. This expansion will also protect wildlife corridors between lower and upper elevation forests. Vulnerable species with wide ranges, like Resplendent Quetzals and Endangered Baird’ s Tapirs, rely on these corridors to move between elevations and adapt to climate change.
Endangered Baird’ s Tapir | Eli Freidus
BRAZIL | 22,606 ACRES TO BE CONSERVED BY DESIGNATION
Protect the Largest Population of Giant South American River Turtles
We have an opportunity to protect Endangered Giant South American River Turtles from poachers who sell their meat and eggs on the black market. Every year, up to 40,000 female turtles migrate to an immense breeding ground on the banks of the Guaporé River, which runs along the Brazil- Bolivia border. They lay millions of eggs and, unlike other turtles that leave their nests, these mothers stay nearby for weeks until their hatchlings join them in the river, leaving them vulnerable to poaching. In partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society – Brazil, we will establish the Guaporé Wildlife Refuge, which will protect 30 % of the species’ global population and prohibit deforestation across 22,606 acres of Amazon habitat.
Donations will also support local jobs in the region, including patrols to protect breeding areas, research to better understand species behaviors, and eco-tourism to build awareness of this vital habitat and unique species.
Endangered Giant South American River Turtle | marktucan