WCS Bolivia

Historic Agreement Signed for the Sustainable Management of Fisheries

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 20:07:00 GMT

During the Third Fishermen’s Meeting of the Beni River, held on June 28 and 29 in the town of Rurrenabaque, 13 indigenous and local fishermen associations from the Beni River basin signed the fisheries agreement “Fish and Fishing Forever”—a collective commitment to the sustainable and responsible management of fishery resources. This agreement, the result of a participatory process, includes actions such as the development of a management plan, the zoning of fishing and reproduction areas, community monitoring, the strengthening of local capacities, the improvement of fish commercialization, and legal defense of the aquatic ecosystem. As part of this initiative, the Fisheries Management Council was established, composed of the presidents of the signatory associations. They will be responsible for monitoring and ensuring the implementation of the agreed actions. This marks a milestone at the national level, as there is no precedent for an indigenous fishermen’s organization with this level of coordination and planning. The associations forming the Beni River Fisheries Management Council are: Eyiyoquibo Ese Ejja Fishermen Association “Jai Hui” Tacana I Indigenous Fishermen Association “El Sábalo” El Paiche Fishermen Association El Mamuri Fishermen Association El Panete Fishermen Association Multiethnic Fishermen Association Fishermen Association of TCO Takana III “Quetscha” Tacana I Agricultural and Fishermen Association “S’e Epeji Aidha” Puerto Salinas Indigenous Fishermen Association “Shemojji” Carmen del Emero Indigenous Fishermen Association “Shahuapa” Indigenous Fishermen Association “La Piraiba” Retail Fish Traders Association “La Perla” Indigenous Lecos Fishermen Association of Torewa “El Dorado” As part of institutional strengthening, the associations formally accredited their members through the issuance of credentials and printed banners identifying each association. In addition, they acquired specialized nets for controlling paiche (Arapaima gigas), an invasive species that threatens local biodiversity by preying on smaller native fish, thereby affecting the food security of communities. Another significant advancement was the inauguration of the Collection Center, a community space for processing and handling fish, which will be managed under a plan aligned with the goals of the agreement. This entire process was supported technically by WCS Bolivia and the Amazon Waters Alliance, with funding from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Legacy Landscapes Fund, which support conservation initiatives led by indigenous communities. Photos: Jhonny Nina – Diego Im / WCS Bolivia

WCS Scientists Provide More than 50K Camera Trap Images for Massive Study on Amazon Wildlife

cflorest@wcs.org — Mon, 16 May 2022 19:41:00 GMT

WCS scientists working in the vast Amazon Basin have contributed more than 57,000 camera trap images for a new study published in the journal Ecology by an international team of 120 research institutions. Photo: Robert Wallace/WCS The study consists of 120,000-plus images taken in eight countries, representing the largest photo database to date of the Amazon’s staggering array of wildlife. The images show 289 species taken from 2001-2020 from 143 field sites. The WCS images from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru reveal playful jaguar cubs, a giant anteater lounging in a mud wallow, elusive short-eared dogs, along with tapirs, white-lipped peccaries, harpy eagles, toucans, pumas, Andean bears and dozens of other species. Jaguars and Andean bears are priority species for WCS. Photo: Guido Ayala & María Viscarra/WCS The purpose of the study is to build a database of Amazon wildlife images, while also documenting habitat loss, fragmentation and climate change. The Amazon Basin covers nearly 3.2 million square miles (8.5 million square kilometers) in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. Said Robert Wallace, Director of WCS’s Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape Program, and a co-author of the study: “WCS scientists were proud to collaborate with such a diverse group of scientists and organizations on this important study. The tens of thousands of images WCS provided will serve as critical data points to show where wildlife occurs and the staggering diversity of species found in the Amazon region.” Photo: Guido Ayala & María Viscarra/WCS One hundred forty-seven scientists from 122 research institutions and nature conservation organizations collaborated on the Ecology study, which was led by German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. This study marks the first time images from camera traps from different regions of the Amazon have been compiled and standardized on such a large scale. Look the video here: https://youtu.be/XNLyvAGPQe0

WCS wins first place in the Plurinational Science and Technology Award 2021

cflorest@wcs.org — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 14:42:00 GMT

The Plurinational Science and Technology Award is promoted by the Bolivian Ministry of Education. Every year, since 2014, it is awarded to public and private institutions engaged in scientific research. In 2021, WCS applied for this award with the work "Research and Conservation of two endemic primates of Bolivia: Plecturocebus olallae and Plecturocebus modestus", and won first place in the category of Natural Resources, Environment and Biodiversity. This work summarizes 20 years of studies on both species and a sustained effort to inform and raise awareness among the urban and rural population in the municipalities of Reyes and Santa Rosa, in the Beni department, where these primates, are locally known as lucachis. The history of research on these primates dates back to 1938, when the Olalla brothers obtained the first scientific records and collections of the lucachis endemic to Bolivia, which helped Lönnberg determine that they belonged to two primate species, different from other species and to each other. Until 2002, the year in which WCS recorded individuals of both species in the Reyes region, no other research had been carried out. Their rediscovery marked the beginning of a series of studies and activities by WCS aimed at the conservation of these species. These studies -led by Jesús Martínez and Robert Wallace- led to a deeper understanding of their taxonomy, distribution, demography and ecological behavior. Both species have small populations in fragmented forests in western Beni, especially P. olallae, restricted to the Yacuma River, with only 2,855 individuals. The population of P. modestus has been estimated at 20,000 individuals. These primates are monogamous and live in families that demarcate their territories by vocalizations. They feed on fruits, leaves, flowers and insects. The loss of forests is the main threat to their conservation, related to uncontrolled fires during the annual burning of savanna related to livestock activities, together with new settlements and increased human activity in the region. Because of their threat status, P. modestus is categorized as Endangered by the IUCN, and P. olallae as Critically Endangered. Photo: Jesús Martínez/WCS The information generated has also been key to the creation of the municipal protected areas Pampas del Yacuma (616,453 ha), in the municipality of Santa Rosa, and Rhukanrhuka (859,451 ha), in the municipality of Reyes, defining the conservation of the two endemic lucachi species as one of their priorities. Scientific information has contributed to the development of strategic management instruments for these protected areas. Each protected area has a management plan and a biodiversity conservation strategy. These areas are also part of the Rurrenabaque: Madidi-Pampas Tourist Destination, with Biosphere sustainability certification: an opportunity to enhance their tourism values. The activities linked to the endemic lucachi monkeys have transcended their conservation, as they are now ambassadors for the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the region where they live, contributing to an integral vision of biodiversity conservation compatible with the local development of its inhabitants for the benefit of future generations.

2021 census registers 13,692 vicuñas in the Apolobamba protected area

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 15:00:00 GMT

The 2021 vicuña census, conducted in the Apolobamba National Integrated Management Natural Area (ANMIN) between August 16 and 17, reflected a 9% growth rate in the vicuña population compared to 2019, the year of the last census. These results reflect a greater commitment of the communities to the conservation and protection of the species. Foto: Robert Wallace/WCS “There is more commitment, added to the effort of the park rangers, and the fact that in the pandemic there was less impact of human activities, due to restrictions on the movement of people”, explains HumberAlberto, who is the WCS staff responsible for capacity building in the integrated use and monitoring of the vicuña in Apolobamba. The objective of the activity is to determine the size, composition and distribution of the vicuña population and identify potential areas for harvesting where there are larger populations. It also evaluates whether the populations have grown or are declining, in relation to the protection efforts made by the communities and park rangers, says Alberto. In this last census, with the participation of 18 management communities, organized in the Regional Association of Vicuña Management Communities of Apolobamba (ARCMVA), and park rangers from ANMIN Apolobamba, 13,692 individuals were registered throughout the vicuña distribution zone, in 8 census zones. Foto: Humber Alberto/WCS Regarding the composition of the vicuña population, the census shows that 59% are territorial family groups, which do not move from a specific area; 39% are herds of males, juveniles, who do not have a defined territory; 1% are solitary, which are generally sick or old animals; and 1% are called undifferentiated, which means that it has not been possible to establish with certainty which group they belong to. Other relevant data collected in the family groups included vicuñas that are mothers (61%), offspring (24%) and breeding males (15%); an average of 1 male for every 4 females was also identified. A total of 99 people participated in this activity, 94 men and 5 women, including 28 park rangers and 9 people from technical support institutions. The remaining 62 people (63%) belonged to the communities, both community guards and authorities. The entire group was previously trained in July for the proper development of the activity. "To carry out the census, we organized census brigades made up of a driver, a guide, a recorder and an observer," says Alberto. The vicuña census and the entire management of the species is supervised at the national level by the General Directorate of Biodiversity and Protected Areas. Since this is a protected area, the National Protected Areas Service (SERNAP) also participates, through technical and protection personnel from ANMIN Apolobamba. ARCMVA is in charge of local coordination with the vicuña management communities; representatives of the Autonomous Departmental Government of La Paz and the Autonomous Municipal Government of Pelechuco also participated. The Wildlife Conservation Society provided technical support for the activity and a large part of the financial support thanks to a contribution from the Darwin Initiative from the UK Government. By Cristina Pabón.

Workshop for environmental monitoring in protected areas and indigenous territories

cflorest@wcs.org — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 19:46:00 GMT

Between December 1st and 3rd of this year, the "Environmental Monitoring Workshop" was held, organized by Florida International University (FIU), Conservify, Citizen Science Network for the Amazon (CC Network) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Bolivia, with the support of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The workshop was given by Paulo Olivas (PhD), an expert in research on environmental change on different spatial and temporal scales, who leads the Water Quality collaborative group in the CC Network. The workshop was attended by 22 participants, including park rangers from the protected areas of Madidi and Pilón Lajas, monitoring technicians from the Indigenous Council of the Tacana People (CIPTA) and the Tsimane Mosetene Regional Council (CRTM), and researchers. Photo: Guido Miranda/WCS Between December 1st and 3rd of this year, the "Environmental Monitoring Workshop" was held, organized by Florida International University (FIU), Conservify, Citizen Science Network for the Amazon (CC Network) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Bolivia, with the support of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The workshop was given by Paulo Olivas (PhD), an expert in research on environmental change on different spatial and temporal scales, who leads the Water Quality collaborative group in the CC Network. The workshop was attended by 22 participants, including park rangers from the protected areas of Madidi and Pilón Lajas, monitoring technicians from the Indigenous Council of the Tacana People (CIPTA) and the Tsimane Mosetene Regional Council (CRTM), and researchers. Photo: Cecilia Flores Turdera/WCS In addition to the handling of FieldKit equipment, methodologies were presented to measure river quality through hydrological, habitat and macroinvertebrate indices (Jorge Molina, Limnology). The data to determine these indices were downloaded to the collaborative and citizen data collection platform Anecdata. In addition, training was given on the use of test strips for simple and inexpensive measuring of 16 parameters. All this is to ensure that those responsible for monitoring have the necessary technical and equipment inputs for data collection, allowing them to determine the quality of rivers and detect warning signs that require specific studies. In the practice section, the participants learned how to assemble each piece of equipment and then proceeded to install it. This took place in the lagoon of the campus of the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA), in Cota Cota. Photo: Guido Miranda/WCS The sites where the equipment will be installed in December this year have yet to be determined. The data obtained with the help of the park rangers and field technicians will provide valuable information on the environmental conditions of the area and will allow periodic evaluation of the water bodies in the area, identifying potential situations that threaten water quality.

Publications on vicuña fiber management and utilization accompany the start of the 2021 shearing season in Bolivia

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 20:45:00 GMT

Five technical documents related to the management and sustainable use of vicuña fiber in the Apolobamba National Integrated Management Natural Area (ANMIN Apolobamba) were published in September, helping to strengthen conservation, management and the sustainable use strategy for this species in Bolivia. This is the result of several months of work developed between the Community Association for the Commercialization of Vicuña Fiber in Bolivia (ACOFIV Bolivia), the Ministry of Environment and Water, through the General Directorate of Biodiversity and Protected Areas (DGBAP), the National Service of Protected Areas (SERNAP), through ANMIN Apolobamba, and the technical support of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS Bolivia). During the official inauguration of the shearing season, held on September 26th in the ayllu of Puyo Puyo, in the municipality of Pelechuco in Apolobamba, the Vice Minister of Environment, Magín Herrera López, presented the documents that reflect the experience of many years of work by the communities, technicians and institutions involved in vicuña management, especially in ANMIN Apolobamba. The publications are: Technical manual on good animal welfare practices and sanitary measures in the sustainable use of vicuña fiber; Good animal welfare practices and sanitary measures in the use of vicuña fiber (practical manual), Guide for fleece handling and pre-selection of vicuña fiber, Guide for mechanical shearing of vicuña fiber and Biosecurity protocol for the use of vicuña fiber in Bolivia. The Technical Manual on Good Animal Welfare Practices and Sanitary Measures for the Sustainable Use of Vicuña Fiber, aimed at technical personnel, provides guidance on the management of vicuñas using animal welfare and animal health standards during herding, capture, shearing and release. The document Good Animal Welfare Practices and Sanitary Measures in the Utilization of Vicuña Fiber (practical manual) is aimed at vicuña management communities. It includes guidance on best practices throughout the process, as well as sanitary, preventive and curative measures during the harvesting of vicuña fiber. The Guide for handling the fleece during shearing and preselection of vicuña fiber is a key document for knowing the best practices during and after shearing and for preselection of vicuña fiber, giving it greater added value. The Guide for mechanical shearing of vicuña fiber is a manual that provides guidance on all the steps and stages involved in mechanized shearing of vicuña fiber. Finally, the Biosecurity Protocol for the harvesting of vicuña fiber in Bolivia provides guidance on all biosecurity measures that should be adopted by vicuña technicians and managers during the handling of the species, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of these documents complement the technical guidelines defined by the State, such as the National Vicuña Management Plan and the Technical Guidelines for Sustainable Use, among others.

The 2021 season of sustainable use of vicuña of vicuña fiber in Bolivia

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 13:40:00 GMT

On September 26th, in the community of Puyo Puyo, municipality of Pelechuco, in the north of the department of La Paz, the 2021 season for the sustainable use of vicuña fiber was officially inaugurated throughout the country. This activity has been carried out since 1998 and generates income from the sale and marketing of the fiber, benefiting 5,500 families from more than 100 vicuña management communities in the departments of La Paz, Oruro, Potosí, Cochabamba and Tarija. National authorities from the Ministry of the Environment and Water, the National Protected Areas Service (SERNAP), the Association of Vicuña Handling Communities of Bolivia (ACOFIV), the Regional Association of Vicuña Handling Communities (ARCMV), and the Puyo Puyo communities participated in the inauguration. Also in attendance were authorities and technical personnel from the Apolobamba National Integrated Management Natural Area and WCS Bolivia, among others. This year, 275 vicuña herding, capture and shearing events are planned nationwide. In Apolobamba, the Regional Association of Vicuña Handling Communities (ARCMV-A) will carry out 46 herding, capture and shearing events in 18 communities, with the goal of harvesting a minimum volume of 450 kilos of vicuña fiber. WCS's technical team will actively collaborate throughout the process of harvesting vicuña fiber in Apolobamba. Since 2002, WCS has accompanied and supported population censuses in Apolobamba and other protected areas, in coordination with SERNAP. Since 2013, its efforts have been directed at evaluating the health status of vicuña populations, helping to reduce diseases such as mange. José Luis Mollericona, WCS animal health and management specialist, explains that since 2019, support has also been provided in mechanized shearing, which allows for better fleece management, and in the process of pre- selection of the fiber, improving the quality obtained and the benefits for the communities. Similarly, in 2020, the current condition, supply and state of the natural grasslands and wetlands and their water sources were evaluated. "The pre- selection process has allowed us to obtain better results during the commercialization of the fiber. Its cost, raw, is US$280 per kilo; with the pre-selection process, the price increases by almost US$100 per kilo," explains Humber Alberto, WCS technician in charge of capacity building in the integrated use and monitoring of the vicuña at ANMIN Apolobamba.

WCS presents a Toolbox for Indigenous Territorial Management and Community-Based Natural Resource Management

cflorest@wcs.org — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 13:19:00 GMT

For more than 20 years, WCS has worked with indigenous peoples and local communities in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador on territorial management and natural resource management, helping to strengthen territorial rights and self-determination, promote their cultural values, manage land use, conserve natural ecosystems and improve their livelihoods. As a result of the systematization of this experience and the lessons learned, a toolbox was developed to be used through a portable multimedia and interactive application. It has been designed to facilitate community participation and generate consensus among all its inhabitants, taking into account the collective organization of indigenous peoples and local communities. The objective is to contribute to efforts to strengthen their territorial management capacities. The toolbox contains 10 processes, 24 methodological tools, various technical resources and audiovisual materials. A fundamental aspect of the toolbox is the links it maintains internally between processes and tools and between processes and tools and technical resources, as an integrated whole. Each of the processes focuses on a specific key topic in territorial management: indigenous peoples' rights, strengthening of organizational systems, territorial management planning, territorial zoning, natural resource use regulation, analysis of nature-based production chains with a gender perspective, territorial control, administration, sustainable financing and social, economic, cultural and environmental monitoring. It provides resources such as booklets, manuals, questionnaires, databases, report formats and training modules. In the GLF Amazon Turning Point Conference, WCS presents a useful, dynamic and interactive toolbox for communities. This is an integral platform that allows them to design their own management instruments, and as such reflect their cosmovision, their ancestral knowledge and their historical experience; define their approaches and priorities for development in the complex context of the challenges of the 21st century. https://herramientasgti.org/ https://bolivia.wcs.org/

Origen inaugurates its new laboratory and cafeteria in La Paz

cflorest@wcs.org — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 22:18:00 GMT

With the concept 'An encounter with nature', the coffee, cacao, jatata and essential oil producers of Origen-Chomateo SRL inaugurated their new cafeteria in the San Miguel neighborhood of the city of La Paz on August 2, with the support of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Banco FIE. The inaugural event, which was attended by representatives of the associations and broadcast virtually, was attended by 170 people interested in Origen's products, that take into account ecological production, high quality, organic certification, better income for producers' families and biodiversity conservation. These topics were widely covered by 20 media outlets. With a new style and quality, Origen offers consumers from La Paz the opportunity to taste coffee beans that have been tested and roasted by specialized baristas from the associations themselves. Chocolate bars, soaps and Shan essential oils are also available. Everything is well presented with information about their origin and content. In a space adjacent to the cafeteria, a laboratory has been set up to test flavors and textures and develop products based on coffee and chocolate. Origen is the result of alliances between producer associations (Café Ecológico Regional Larecaja, Chocolecos, Café de Apolo, Consejo Regional Tsimane Mosetene and Shan); technical and scientific institutions (Wildlife Conservation Society, Teko Kavi, Helvetas and NORDECO); and financial institutions (Banco FIE, Nordic Climate Facility, Darwin Initiative and Agrupación de Sociedades Asturianas de Trabajo Asociado y Economía Social). This joint effort aims to develop sustainable natural resource management models, revalue cultural traditions and guarantee the quality of organic products, benefiting more than 255 indigenous and farming families. Origen plays an important role in the export of coffee and cocoa beans and finished products. It also contributes to strengthening the domestic market and encouraging urban consumption of products from forests that are well managed by indigenous communities.

FAN and WCS present a report on forest fires in Bolivia in 2020

cflorest@wcs.org — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:49:00 GMT

As a result of the joint work between Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza (FAN) and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), a report was published on June 23rd that analyzes the impacts of forest fires, which occurred in 2020, on conservation values in Bolivia. The main data in the document reveal that, between January and December 2020, an area of 4.5 million hectares was affected by forest fires throughout the country, mainly in the departments of Beni and Santa Cruz. It also presents an analysis of the effects at the departmental and municipal levels, in national and subnational protected areas and in indigenous territories, identifying especially the areas of distribution of endemic and threatened species, and the areas of whole forests affected by the fires. The objective is to contribute with this information to guide decision-making in territorial planning and management processes, and thus avoid or, if necessary, reduce the negative impacts of forest fires on conservation areas and values in the Bolivian Amazon, the Chaco and the Chiquitania. The indiscriminate use of fire to regenerate pastures and expand the agricultural frontier, driven by the opening of new roads, as well as drought, intensified by climate change, cause fires that affect the forests and biodiversity of our country. In this sense, the document highlights the need to protect these areas of high diversity with the active participation of the competent authorities, civil society and the different stakeholders involved in land management. Link to the report: https://bit.ly/3x08Emk Link to the video: https://youtu.be/ivrWxgZP9oU

WCS promotes the establishment of the group for conservation of turtles in Bolivia

cflorest@wcs.org — Tue, 25 May 2021 14:15:00 GMT

Since 2020, WCS has been promoting the establishment of a group of experts for the study of turtles in Bolivia. This group aims to promote collective actions that contribute to the preservation of this endangered order of reptiles. Bolivia is home to 17 species of turtles, 15 native and 2 introduced, of which 3 are terrestrial and 14 are aquatic. In 2009, the threat status of 9 of these species was evaluated for the Red Book of Bolivian Vertebrates, and it was found that two of them were threatened: Podocnemis expansa, classified as Endangered (EN), and therefore considered the most endangered turtle species in the country. The other species, P. unifilis, has been classified as Vulnerable (VU). The remaining seven species assessed were Acanthochelys macrocephala, A. pallidipectoris, Chelus fimbriata, Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei, Chelonoidis carbonarius, C. chilensis and C. denticulatus, all of which are listed as Near Threatened (NT). In the workshop "Conservation and research priorities for turtles", held last year, the experts analyzed the threats and state of knowledge of the 15 native species of Bolivia, determining that P. unifilis, P. expansa, C. carbonarius and C. denticulatus are the species that have the greatest impact due to different human activities, both subsistence (egg extraction and hunting) and illegal (pet trade, medicinal and artisanal). Other species that are affected by pet trade and artisanal trade are C. chilensis, C. fimbriata, Kinosternon scorpioides, Phrynops geoffroanus and Platemys platycephala. On the other hand, it has been found that habitat loss has a strong pressure on the populations of all species, with Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei being the most affected due to its restricted distribution and because it lives in closer proximity to human populations and livestock and agricultural areas. It has also been determined that climate change represents a potential risk for Bolivia's 15 turtle species. Since March of this year, the group of experts for the conservation of turtles in Bolivia has gained much more strength, and has the support of the General Directorate of Biodiversity and Protected Areas (DGBAP), in the implementation of workshops and other activities. Recently, in commemoration of World Turtle Day, from May 24th-26th, a series of conferences organized by the Ministry of Environment and Water and WCS were held, with the participation of national and international experts, who shared their experiences on river turtle management. Based on these experiences, on May 27th and 28th, a new workshop was held: "Experiences in River Turtle Management", with the purpose of generating national protocols for the management of turtle nests and juvenile turtles that will used by the environmental authority. The results of this workshop will be decisive to carry out conservation actions that will help maintain the populations of the different turtle species in our country.

Award to the cocoa produced by the Chocolecos Association that will represent Bolivia at the International Cocoa Awards 2021 tournament

cflorest@wcs.org — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 19:26:00 GMT

On April 12, in the Tiwanacu room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the six cocoa samples were awarded, out of a total of 24 samples, that will represent Bolivia in the International Cocoa Awards 2021 tournament. Among these samples is that of Wilfredo Gonzales, from the community of Tomachi, in Guanay, La Paz, and member of the Chocolecos association. The other winning samples are from Riberalta and Baures, in Beni, Yuracaré, in Cochabamba, Manuripi, in Pando, and San Carlos, in Santa Cruz. WCS collaborated in the event "Salón de Cacao y Chocolate Bolivia 2021", organized by the Ministry of Rural Development and Lands, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Coordination Committee of Cocoa in Bolivia, by adapting a protocol for the organoleptic qualification of the samples, the preparation of the samples at the facilities of the company Origen SRL, and the support of two tasters who were part of the qualification panel. We congratulate our partners of the Asociación de Productores de Cacao Nativo Ecológico del Pueblo Leco de Larecaja (Chocolecos) because once again they have demonstrated their ability to produce high quality cocoa beans. Cocoa production involves 55 producers from 15 communities of the Chocolecos Association, with a total cultivation area of 48.18 ha of native cocoa under agroforestry systems. The application of a set of technological innovations throughout the production chain: shade management, phytosanitary pruning, controlled fermentation in wooden boxes, and controlled drying on tables, makes it possible to produce excellent cocoa while conserving the forests and wildlife. These activities are carried out within the framework of the project "Wildlife-friendly agroforestry and sustainable forest management in Bolivian indigenous territories", funded by the UK Government through the “Darwin Initiative”.

Popular Poetry to Confront Wildlife Trafficking in Bolivia

cflorest@wcs.org — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 21:11:00 GMT

Through the campaign "Haikus against wildlife trafficking", WCS seeks to raise awareness about the threat of wildlife trafficking that threatens the biological diversity that characterizes Bolivia. Remembering our connection with nature, through three verses and a pattern of 5-7-5 syllables, is the proposal of the "Haikus against wildlife trafficking" campaign of WCS, within the framework of the Alliance for Wildlife and Forests, a regional action financed by the European Union. Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry often inspired by nature. Through this popular poetic genre, the campaign seeks to raise awareness and make an urgent appeal for the growing illegal trade of many of our most beloved species: the jaguar (Panthera onca), the red-fronted parrot (Ara rubrogenys), the blue-bearded parrot (Ara glaucogularis), among many others. Bolivia is one of the 15 megadiverse countries on the planet. It is home to 432 mammal, 1438 bird, 386 reptile, 284 amphibian and 1100 fish species, several of which are endemic. Sadly, wildlife trafficking is a threat to this diversity. There is an illegal market that profits from the sale of wildlife species, both flora and fauna, threatening their survival. This type of trafficking also causes enormous suffering to the animals and robs them of the possibility of living free, since they are removed from their habitat at an early age and do not know any environment other than captivity, losing their ability to survive in their natural habitat. Although the authorities have been implementing actions to address this problem and to ensure compliance with environmental regulations that safeguard wildlife, there are actions that citizens can take to help reduce the demand for these animals in illegal markets. One of these actions is to be better informed and support the dissemination of information about the risks involved in wildlife trafficking. That is why the "Haikus against wildlife trafficking" campaign aims to raise public awareness and call on poets, writers and civil society in general to get involved and become allies in the protection of biodiversity. Sharing these collective forms of expression is essential for the conservation of our natural resources. The reception of the campaign so far has been very positive, through Facebook and the hashtag #haikuscontraeltráficodevidasilvestre several poems have been published, some of them by renowned poets in the country, as is the case of Homero Carvalho. Similarly, the campaign has been amplified in other social media by journalists committed to the defense of wildlife.

WCS-led study of jaguar and puma feeding habits

cflorest@wcs.org — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 15:12:00 GMT

Jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor) are the largest felines in the Americas. They share the same habitat throughout most of their distribution. Both are strict carnivores, so knowledge of their feeding habits is fundamental for the design of conservation strategies, since diet plays a key role in the evolutionary behavior of predators. Likewise, the availability of prey is one of the main factors that determine the presence, behavior and ecology of predators in the ecosystems where they live. Predator-prey relationship influence the dynamics of communities, maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. This study was conducted in 2008 in two areas near the Tuichi and Hondo rivers and the Quiquibey river. The first is located within the Madidi National Park; and the second, in the Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve and Indigenous Territory. Hair obtained from cat scats were collected; and morphological, cuticular and medullar analyses were carried out, comparing them with the WCS hair catalog to identify the species consumed. Among the main results, a richness of 25 prey species was observed for jaguar and 28 for puma. Jaguars consume preferably large animals (>15 kg), especially white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), which contributes a large part of the prey biomass (37%). Meanwhile, pumas feed on medium to large prey (1-15 kg), mainly the paca (Cuniculus paca), that makes a more significant contribution to its prey biomass (18 %). In terms of trophic niche breadth: the jaguar tends to be more specialized in its diet (0.28) and the puma is more generalist (0.56). Although both cats share most of their prey, the jaguar consumes some prey more frequently and the puma others. Thus, there is no marked trophic niche overlap between the two cats (0.46). It is important to note that camera trap studies carried out at the same time as this work helped to obtain the relative abundance of jaguar and puma prey; this abundance showed that amongst the largest prey the white lipped peccary was the most abundant; and amongst the medium prey paca was one of the most abundant. Hence, prey was consumed according to their relative abundance by jaguar and puma respectively. On the other hand, this study not only helped to improve knowledge about the ecology and behavior of both cats, but also allowed us to take into consideration that the prey most consumed by jaguars and pumas are also the most consumed by indigenous peoples. For this reason, this information is important for monitoring and managing subsistence hunting, so that the availability of prey does not affect either the indigenous communities or the felines. It will also contribute to decision-making to ensure biodiversity conservation in protected areas and their zones of influence. You can read the full article at the following link: https://bit.ly/3ebqXOP

18 tons of coffee produced under agroforestry systems exported with WCS support

cflorest@wcs.org — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 19:03:00 GMT

In February, the Asociación de Productores de Café Ecológico Regional Larecaja (APCERL) and the producers of the TCO Lecos de Apolo, exported to the United States a container of 18.27 tons of coffee, worth $us. 123,512, through the social enterprise Orygen-Chomateo SRL, with the support of WCS, in the framework of the project "Wildlife-friendly agroforestry and sustainable forest management in Bolivian indigenous territories", funded by the UK Government through the “Darwin Initiative”. The exported coffee is the result of a constant process of perfection of its quality and aromatic and flavor qualities, which is enriched by the exchange of knowledge. For the second time, last November, the producers received a visit from Joseph Stazzone, CEO of Café Kreyol, to get to know the coffee plantations and the existing coffee varieties. Once back in Virginia, and after meticulous sampling and cupping, Stazzone decided to choose coffee from the northern Amazon region of La Paz as his main supplier of Bolivian coffee. This is a good example of sustainable trade that involves the commitment of producers and buyers and the long-term institutional support of WCS, with a program based on sustainable coffee production, linked to biodiversity conservation actions and the promotion of responsible consumption. The coffee of 40 producers in Teoponte is found under agroforestry systems (simple, complex and undergrowth). The coffee plantations contain arabica coffee varieties, such as catimor, caturra and catuai. The plots are located within an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) Bella Vista BO 047, towards the south of Madidi National Park. They are home to 238 bird species (16 % of Bolivia's birds). Thirteen of these coffee plantations have been awarded the Smithsonian Institute's 'Bird Friendly' seal for their contribution to conservation. In general, the Teoponte varieties are particularly chocolatey, with malty tones and citric acidity. They are medium to full-bodied with a sweetness of honey and chancaca. The specialty coffees present flavors of red fruits (strawberry and plums) and yellow fruits (peach, apricot) with an intense body and a pronounced sweetness of chancaca. Apolo's coffee plantations involve 40 families from the Lecos de Apolo Community Land of Origin (TCO). The Criollo and Catimor varieties are the predominant varieties. The coffee plantations are adjacent to or within the Madidi National Park, and hence the development of sustainable coffee growing is of great importance to conserve biodiversity values and contribute to the territorial management of the Leco de Apolo indigenous people. This type of coffee is characterized by a marked citric acidity (orange and mandarin), medium to full body, and pronounced chocolate flavors. Among the specialty coffees, that of the producer Sabina Calcina stands out because it gathers all the attributes that characterize a fine and delicate coffee.

WCS receives award for implementation of innovative project on best practices in mining operations

cflorest@wcs.org — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 22:45:00 GMT

During the final virtual evaluation workshop of the Tropical Andes Hotspot Program (2015-2020), which took place on January 28th, with the participation of several organizations from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), Fundación Futuro Latinoamericano (Ecuador), Profonanpe (Peru) and Patrimonio Natural (Colombia), the European Union and the French Alliance for Development, special recognition was given to outstanding projects in each of the six strategic lines supported by CEPF. One of these was awarded to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) for the results and impacts achieved with the project: "Integrating best practices in mining operations in the Madidi-Pilón Lajas-Apolobamba-Cotapata conservation corridor". WCS worked on the implementation of best mining practices (technical, social and environmental) in three pilot mining cooperatives: Águilas de Oro and Rayo Rojo (Apolobamba) and Jesús del Gran Poder (Cotapata), which became field schools for training in responsible mining, promoting miner-to-miner training. A total of 197 mining operators and 110 park rangers from the Apolobamba, Madidi, Pilón Lajas and Cotapata national protected areas were trained. These activities were aimed at reducing the impacts of gold mining and strengthening the technical capacities of protected area personnel. Also noteworthy was the consolidation of the Interinstitutional Working Group on Responsible Gold (GIT-OR), an alliance of 15 civil society and academic institutions committed to working to reduce the impacts of gold mining activities through the application of the responsible mining approach. On the other hand, WCS carried out close to 30 training events in which more than 1100 people participated, including mining operators, park rangers, management committee members and indigenous leaders, contributing to the strengthening of Integral Monitoring Programs and the implementation of Environmental Action Plans in the Madidi, Pilón Lajas, Apolobamba and Cotapata protected areas. In the words of Oscar Loayza, Subdirector of the Greater Madidi Landscape Conservation Program and leader of the winning project: "The challenge was great, the mining issue is complex and very sensitive in Bolivia because of its presence within protected areas and indigenous territories" -which are home to a significant part of Bolivia's biodiversity-. "The main effort was focused on reducing the impact of mining and working with a sense of teamwork and collaboration at different levels." An award was also presented to the T'simane Mosetene Regional Council (CRTM-Pilón Lajas), on behalf of its president Eloy Sarabia Vía, for their achievements in the development of the Management Plan and Life Plan for the Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve and Indigenous Territory, which strengthens its management as a protected area (under the responsibility of SERNAP) and as an indigenous territory (legal property of the T'simane, Mosetene and Tacana peoples represented by the CRTM). The CRTM's leadership was key in terms of organizing the work team to update the plan, organizing events with the participation of Pilón Lajas' stakeholders, and coordinating and approving the plan. WCS provided technically support to the CRTM team in this process.

The regional gold mining project in the Tropical Andes Hotspot in Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador comes to an end

cflorest@wcs.org — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 19:05:00 GMT

The project "Building a Regional Strategy to Incorporate Environmental and Social Safeguards into Mining Operations in the Tropical Andes Hotspot", developed between July 2019 and October 2020, concluded with the dissemination of 11 documents and a regional platform with information on gold mining in each of the countries involved. These proposals constitute a solid basis for promoting the reduction of the impacts of gold mining, in key biodiversity conservation areas and in ecosystem functions as well. The main result is that we have cartographic information on the presence, intensity and impacts of legal and illegal mining operations in eight conservation corridors in the four countries. In Bolivia, in the Madidi, Pilón Lajas, Apolobamba and Cotapata corridor; in Peru, in the Northwest Peru, Carpish-Yanachaca, Vilcanota Mountain Range and Condor Kutukú Palanda corridors; in Colombia, in the Paragus Munchique corridor; and in Ecuador, in the Condor Kutukú Palanda, Northwest Pichincha and Cotacachi Awá corridors. The documents generated consist of: i) four diagnostics of gold mining activities and their impacts in conservation corridors prioritized in the project, one per country, ii) four strategies aimed at providing guidance for reducing the impacts of gold mining in the prioritized corridors, one per country, and iii) three regional strategies: the first one proposes guidelines against illegal mining in the four countries, and the two complementary strategies, a financial and a communication one, are aimed at strengthening the implementation of the mining strategy. In addition, a virtual plataform, Regional HUB, has been created to provide information on the eight project corridors in the four countries, as well as the social and environmental impacts of gold mining in these geographic spaces, through maps, videos, photographs and documents generated during the project. Another important result of this joint work is the formation and strengthening of inter-institutional platforms and/or discussion groups in each country that add up to more than 50 organizations of the civil society, academic and governmental, interested in cooperating to reduce the impacts of illegal mining in areas of high ecological value. In Bolivia, the Inter-institutional Working Group on Responsible Gold GIT-OR, in Peru, the Observatory on Illegal Mining and Related Activities in Key Biodiversity Areas, and in Ecuador, the Multi-Party Group, which promotes the EITI standard on transparency in the extractive sector. This project, led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Bolivia Program, was executed in Colombia by the Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development (FCDS), in Peru by the Frankfurt Zoological Society of Peru (FZS), and by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Ecuador programs, with financial support from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF). All he documents of the Project are available for download at the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wikZfVIbldrxTdDcd7I_doadtyhdjQe2?usp=sharing

Jaguar Colombia, Latinoamérica y Caribe se unen con Wildlife Conservation Society para generar conciencia en el Día Internacional del Jaguar

cflorest@wcs.org — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 19:30:00 GMT

El Día Internacional del Jaguar, que se celebra cada año el 29 de noviembre, reconoce la magnificencia del jaguar y la necesidad de protegerlo de la extinción. Hoy, Jaguar Colombia, Latinoamérica y Caribe, hace equipo con la Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) para ayudar a crear conciencia y visibilidad a esta causa tan importante con el ánimo de proteger a este poderoso gran felino de las Américas.

Durante décadas, WCS ha trabajado para proteger al jaguar, para asegurar que estos grandes felinos continúen deambulando por las sabanas, pastizales y selvas tropicales de las Américas. El modelo de WCS para salvar al jaguar se basa en tres elementos centrales: asegurar áreas grandes y bien protegidas como refugios inviolables para los jaguares y sus presas; asegurar la conectividad entre esas áreas para que los jaguares deambulen; y cooperar con las comunidades humanas en paisajes compartidos para ayudar a satisfacer las necesidades de las personas y al mismo tiempo mejorar la situación de los jaguares y otros animales salvajes.

“Estamos seguros de que cada grano suma y que los esfuerzos que hacemos desde cada una de nuestras realidades nos permitirán promover siempre las mejores causas en pro del bienestar de nuestro entorno. Estamos creando conciencia de la mano de la Wildlife Conservation Society para que el principal beneficiado sea el gran félido de América” dijo Rodnei Silva, Brand Director de Jaguar Land Rover Colombia, Latinoamérica y El Caribe.

“En WCS, damos la bienvenida al apoyo de Jaguar Land Rover detrás de nuestros esfuerzos para proteger y recuperar al jaguar que enfrenta muchas amenazas, incluida la pérdida de hábitat, la caza furtiva y el comercio ilegal”, dijo Joe Walston, vicepresidente ejecutivo de WCS Global Conservation Programs. “Tenemos programas sobre el jaguar a largo plazo sobre el terreno en 13 países del área de distribución. Las poblaciones de jaguares en los sitios de WCS están creciendo de manera constante, con un aumento promedio del 6.1% por año. WCS ha estado trabajando en estos sitios durante años, en algunos casos décadas. Los jaguares necesitan tiempo para recuperarse y nuestros nuevos resultados demuestran que la persistencia vale la pena. Esperamos trabajar con Jaguar Land Rover para generar apoyo detrás de estos esfuerzos en curso " /> La población mundial del jaguar está disminuyendo y ha desaparecido de casi la mitad de su distribución original, incluso extinguiéndose en El Salvador y Uruguay. Con el objetivo de garantizar que las poblaciones de jaguares saludables prosperen en una diversidad de hábitats, WCS trabaja con muchos socios y biólogos en múltiples biomas para contrarrestar las amenazas que enfrenta el jaguar y apoya la recuperación a largo plazo del gran felino más grande de las Américas. Jaguar defiende y promueve el uso de nuevos materiales que brindan credenciales ambientales mejoradas, tanto en uso como en suministro, con una clave de abastecimiento transparente para seleccionar los materiales adecuados. El I-PACE totalmente eléctrico, se ofrece con materiales ecológicos, incluido el aluminio reciclado. Jaguar está comprometido con su estrategia Destination Zero: un futuro con cero emisiones, cero accidentes y cero congestión. Para apoyar los esfuerzos para ayudar a salvar a los jaguares en este Día Internacional del Jaguar, WCS emitirá un llamado a la acción el martes 1 de diciembre, en donde los interesados en apoyar la presente causa podrán hacer una contribución a WCS aquí: https://www.wcs.org/international-jaguar-day

WCS joins efforts to publish plans and compendiums for the conservation of wildlife species

cflorest@wcs.org — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 14:12:00 GMT

The publication of the action plans for the conservation of jaguar (Panthera onca), Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus), Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) and pink river dolphin (Inia boliviensis) is the culmination of research and planning work undertaken by WCS and several scientific institutions in the country, in coordination with the General Directorate of Biodiversity and Protected Areas (DGBAP) of the Ministry of Environment and Water (MMAyA). Inplementation of these action plans has been aproved by Administrative Resolution VMABCCGDF No. 049 dated October 22nd of 2020. The four action plans synthesize updated scientific information on the natural history of species, their behavior, their conservation status, their distribution and population abundance, as well as their ecological and socio-cultural importance. They present an analysis of the various threats these species face, including the destruction of their natural habitat, poaching, and wildlife traffic. The action plans of jaguar, Andean bear and Andean condor have been developed considering the priority conservation units identified at a continental or binational level. They take into account the identification of core populations, habitat corridors and protection measures. Protected areas are fundamental for their conservation because they host stronghold populations of these species. In these plans we propose actions for research, conservation and management, regulatory and institutional strengthening, communication, education and awareness, and fund raising and management. They reinforces the need for inter-institutional coordination and social participation to achieve effective results. Another important effort in wildlife conservation has been the collaboration provided to the DGBAP in the publication of two compendiums of regulations: the Compendium of Instruments for the Regulation of Biodiversity Management and the Compendium of Biodiversity and Protected Areas Regulations, which are structured on the basis of Supreme Laws and Decrees currently in force in Bolivia, and which will be useful for the implementation of policies and strategies for the conservation and management of wildlife, to prevent damage to biodiversity, and control of illegal wildlife trade.

Delivery of biosafety equipment and supplies to the indigenous peoples of the northern Amazon region in La Paz (Bolivia), to combat the COVID-19 disease

cflorest@wcs.org — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 21:42:00 GMT

WCS collaborated with the Confederation of Indigenous People of Bolivia (CIDOB) and the Organization of Indigenous People of La Paz (CPILAP) in their efforts to get support from USAID, to receive donations of biosafety supplies and oxygen concentrators for the indigenous communities in the northern Amazon region of La Paz. This donation of biosecurity supplies (alcohol, atomizers, face masks, protective glasses, acrylic gloves, spraying backpack) and medical equipment (wheelchair, oximeter, oxygen concentrators) was delivered directly to 29 health centers or the community health posts of the Leco, Mosetén, T'simane, Tacana and Uchupiamonas, indigenous people affiliated to CPILAP. The first set of biosecurity supplies and equipment was delivered on 15th September, to the representatives of the Leco Larecaja Indogenous People (PILCOL), in Guanay; to the Organization of the Moseten Indigenous People (OPIM), in Palos Blancos; and to the Lecos Apolo Indignenous People (CIPLA), in Apolo. The second delivery was made on 22nd September, in San Buenaventura, to the Tacana People Indigenous Council (CIPTA), the T´simane Moseten Regional Council of Pilón Lajas (CRTM-PL) and the San José de Uchupiamonas Indigenous People (PI-SJU). Additionally, biosecurity supplies and equipment were sent to the organization of the Indigenous Tacana Communities of the Madre de Dios river (CITRMD), as well as to the communities of Guarayos and Lomerío, in Santa Cruz, and Yukis, in Cochabamba. Since the COVID 19 pandemic has affected the indigenous people of the Amazon, WCS has focused its efforts on supporting the indigenous organizations of CIDOB and CPILAP in actions aimed at protecting the health of the communities, especially those that are more remote, as well as preventing the spread of the virus. The problems affecting the communities are the lack of COVID-19 test kits, the lack of timely medical care, the lack of communication and the difficulties of transporting the sick to first level centers and hospitals. Provision of equipment to the health centers or community posts, and the delivery of information materials (booklets, social network messages and radio spots) in Spanish and native languages (T'simane and Quechua), will contribute to solve some of these pressing health needs in the indigenous communities.

A New Book Dedicated to the Andean Condor is Published

cflorest@wcs.org — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 00:03:00 GMT

· Researchers identify 21 priority Andean condor conservation units identified, seven of which are transboundary · Historical range of this iconic species estimated to be more than 3.2 million square kilometers, spanning seven Andean countries (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina) · International Vulture Awareness Day is Saturday, September 5, 2020 Just in time for World Vulture Day comes a new scientific book: “Saving the Symbol of the Andes: A Range Wide Conservation Priority Setting Exercise for the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus).” The book is by 38 experts from seven countries and is the results of an in-depth systematization of studies carried out on the distribution, ecology and conservation status of the species along the Andean mountain range, from Venezuela to Argentina and Chile. Its objective is to promote a conservation strategy at a continental level that ensures healthy populations of condors. This effort was launched at the II International Andean Condor Symposium in Lima, Peru, in May 2015, supported by WCS, The Peregrine Fund, the Peruvian National Forest and Wildlife Service (SERFOR), and the Peruvian Ministry of the Environment (MINAM). At the symposium, priority areas for Andean condor conservation were identified based on existing knowledge of their distribution and ecological behavior, using a methodology developed by WCS for regionally and globally threatened landscape species. The book brings together the most important current scientific information on the species. It presents a description by country of its ecological characteristics, distribution and population size, the areas with and without expert knowledge, the most important threats and the identified conservation units. In total, 9,998 distribution points of the Andean Condor were included throughout its range, which, along with expert knowledge, were the basis for the elaboration of digital maps and the identification of conservation units by country and at a continental level. Population studies carried out in the different countries have made it possible to estimate a population of less than 10,000 individuals throughout the Andean condor's distribution range. The various threats to its conservation, aggravated by the effects of climate change, do not guarantee sustainable populations over time unless effective actions are taken to protect the species. Their low natural abundance, reduced reproductive rate and essentially social behavior make them even more vulnerable to the effects of habitat loss, hunting, poisoning, competition with feral dogs and, recently, collisions and electrocutions with electrical cables. A historical distribution range of 3,230,061 square kilometers was estimated, which extends linearly along the Andes Mountains. The largest area is in Argentina, Chile, Peru and Bolivia. Experts estimate that condors lost areas representing 7.3 percent of the historical range, mainly in Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. However, it should be noted that there are areas (34.22 percent) where experts do not have information. The 21 Andean Condor Conservation Units proposed by the experts cover an area of 1,203,703 square kilometers (37.3 percent) of the species' range, seven of which are transboundary conservation units, contributing to guarantee the connectivity of the species' habitat and highlighting the need for integrated conservation actions between nations. Fifty-one percent of the priority conservation units are located in Argentina, followed by Bolivia (17.75 percent), Peru (14 percent) and Chile (11.47 percent). The smallest portion of the conservation units are in Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador (5.56 percent). One aspect that stands out is that 13.5 percent of the historical range of the condor has legal protection, which is fundamental for protecting nesting and roosting sites, although conservation measures are required that consider foraging areas that are outside of protected areas, as well as actions for the sustainable management of natural resources. This Andean Condor conservation strategy is based on conservation units that integrate protected areas and relevant foraging areas for the species, and constitutes the framework that will allow the orientation of action plans in each country and the establishment of binational agreements for the conservation of transboundary units. Ensuring the permanence of the Andean Condor is of vital importance for the conservation of wildlife and the appreciation of the cultural traditions of the Andean region. Its ecological importance is related to the environmental services it provides, particularly in relation to its behavior as a scavenger. By disposing of carcasses naturally, it helps to maintain adequate health levels in the environment, controlling the potential spread of disease. The wildlife symbol of the Andes, the cultural importance of the Andean condor is expressed in its recognition as the national bird of Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Chile, and in its significance as an important figure in the iconography and rituals of the cultures that developed in the Andean region. Said the book’s lead author, Robert Wallace of WCS said “The work of 38 experts throughout the range, this effort identifies the most important strongholds for the wildlife symbol of the Andes, the magnificent Andean condor, which unfortunately is increasingly threatened by a variety of threats and will need collaborative and regional efforts to ensure its conservation into the future.” Hernan Vargas of the Peregrine Fund said “This report summarizes knowledge on the conservation status of the Andean Condor throughout its distributional range. The Lima workshop in 2015 set an important milestone to increase research and conservation efforts to save the symbol of the Andes. Workshop participants identified areas where the Andean Condor has a good conservation status, where the species is already extirpated, and priority areas to focus research and conservation efforts. The workshop also served as a platform to strengthen regional collaborations and project coordination. Consensus information derived from the workshop is also currently being used by IUCN-BirdLife International to categorize the Andean Condor as a threatened species in the Vulnerable category.”

WCS collaborates in the registry of the birds of the Teoponte coffee plantations

cflorest@wcs.org — Thu, 07 May 2020 13:59:00 GMT

An observation, with photographic evidence, of the palkachupa (Phibalura boliviana) in the coffee plantations of Teoponte is an important finding in the distribution of the species. The palkachupa is classified as endangered and is endemic to the gallery forests, natural pampas and humid montane forests around Apolo, in northern La Paz. This new record in Teoponte supports the idea that the species makes seasonal movements towards the humid montane forests of the region. Ornithologists proposed this hypothesis as the species is periodically more difficult to observe near Apolo. The Regional Association of Organic Coffee Producers of Larecaja (APCERL), with support from WCS, is dedicated to the production of shade-grown coffee in agroforestry systems, and in 2013 received the 'Bird Friendly' certification awarded by the 'Smithsonian Bird Migration Center’ for contributions to the conservation of wildlife habitat. The coffee plantations are located within an Important Biodiversity and Bird Area: IBA Bella Vista BO047, in the south of Madidi National Park, the protected area considered to harbor the greatest diversity of birds in the world (10%). Javier Condori Cruz is the son of one of the coffee producers, and is now an APCERL coffee technician and bird photographer. For the last six years Javier has monitored bird species in the shade grown coffee plots, registering 230 species, belonging to 47 families and 177 genera, representing 16% of the bird species of Bolivia. The vast majority (93%) are characteristic of humid montane forests, 2% are boreal migratory birds and 5% are austral migratory birds. Some species are threatened or critically endangered, such as the palkachupa. Several other species are endemic to the tropical central Andes of the southern Amazon and Bolivia. These humid montane forests are home to tanagers, woodpeckers, toucans, parrots, hawks, macaws, owls, guans, colorful and noisy orioles and trogons, and more than ten species of hummingbirds. The white-throated toucan (Ramphastos tucanus), the chestnut-eared aracari (Pteroglossus castanotis) and the woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus) stand out as the most representative species. The production of 'Eco de las Aves' coffee supports efforts to conserve forests and wildlife diversity, while contributing to the economy of 47 coffee families in seven Teoponte communities. These activities are carried out within the framework of the project "Wildlife-friendly agroforestry and sustainable forest management in Bolivian indigenous territories", funded by the UK Government through the “Darwin Initiative”. How lovely to be able to contribute to the conservation of our heritage by drinking good coffee produced by Bolivian communities committed to the environment and biodiversity!

Third Gold Symposium in Bolivia

cflorest@wcs.org — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 13:21:00 GMT

This 5th and 6th March, the Third Gold Symposium took place and was organized by the Inter-Institutional Working Group on Responsible Gold (GIT-OR), made up of 12 civil society and academic institutions, and currently coordinated by WCS. Its objective was to promote exchange, dialogue and reflection on the importance of an increasingly responsible technical, social and environmental gold mining in the country. About 320 people from various sectors participated: national and sub-national authorities, mining federations and cooperatives, civil society institutions, academic entities, as well as international cooperation and embassies. The event was inaugurated by the Minister of Mining, Carlos Huallpa Sunagua, the Ambassadors of Switzerland and the United Kingdom, the coordinator of the GIT-OR (Oscar Loayza, WCS) and the representatives of the miners' federations: Regional Federation of Gold Mining Cooperatives (FERRECO), Federation of Gold Mining Cooperatives of Northern La Paz (FECOMAN) and the Departmental Federation of Mining Cooperatives of La Paz (FEDECOMIN). The plenary event included the participation of international specialists such as Pura Alfonso from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Spain), Chris Goodwin from the Whatchman Company (United Kingdom); Shun-Ping Chau from the Environmental Protection Agency (United States), Rocío Fernández from UNIDO, Vicente Encalada from Grupo Bonanza (Ecuador), Juan Ayala from CETEMIN and Jaime Molleapaza of the Oro Puno Company (Peru) and José Ruiz as International Consultant (Colombia). Among the national specialists, representatives of many institutions stood out in their participation such as SENARECOM, WCS, FERRECO, Mining Cooperatives such as Águilas de Oro, Jesús del Gran Poder and San Lucas, ACEAA, Cumbre del Sajama (an environmental consultant company) and MEDMIN. Topics covered included mining royalties, the use of mercury and its impacts on health and the environment, mitigation of risks in mining production, technological innovation for health and safety, technologies to improve gold recovery, conflict resolution in mining, mining certification experiences, women's participation in mining and labor issues, among others. Oscar Loayza, Deputy Director of the WCS Madidi Great Landscape Conservation Program and Coordinator of the GIT-OR, presented in plenary the topic of Gold Mining and Biodiversity Conservation, highlighting the presence and intensity of mining operations and their impact on conservation values in the Madidi-Pilón Lajas-Apolobamba-Cotapata corridor, within the framework of the project supported by CEPF. Participation in panels allowed to approach the mining theme in four thematic pillars: economic, environmental, technological and social-occupational. Lilian Painter, Director of WCS Bolivia, presented on the Mitigation Hierarchy applied to mining, providing recommendations to avoid, minimize, restore and compensate for the damage caused to biodiversity.

The Think Green Initiative (Piensa Verde in Spanish) was launched: the first inter-institutional platform for conservation of forests, species and protected areas

cflorest@wcs.org — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 15:03:00 GMT

Think Green or Piensa Verde (in Spanish) will also open opportunities for businesses and people to join this cause/initiative, with monetary contributions to support conservation projects, through volunteer opportunities or institutional support. Through a platform, a variety of social players will connect at an individual and institutional level, as a new way of committing themselves to conservation. Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF), Conservation International (CI), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Fundación para la Conservación del Bosque Chiquitano (FCBC) (Foundation for the Conservation of Chiquitano Forest), Andes Amazon Association of Bolivia(ACEAA) and the Foundation for de Development of the Protected Areas System (FUNDESNAP) are the environmental NGOs that currently join this platform together with the VIVA Foundation, Bagó Bolivia S.A. Pharmaceuticals, Farmacorp, the Banco de Crédito de Bolivia BCP and the British Embassy. Piensa Verde, through an innovative and pioneering model in Bolivia, promotes the establishment of alliances among different social sectors of society that are committed with the conservation of forests, protected areas and species, fundraising from the business private sector as well as from the Bolivian general public. It aims to communicate the need for conserving the environment, increasing knowledge and information on the matter; and at the same time economically supporting efficient conservation projects. The platform will visualize the link between the urban dwellers and forests, protected areas and species. This connection will have as one of its benchmarks, improving the information and knowledge levels on the impacts of deforestation in our daily lives, our health and our economy, demonstrating the strong dependence we have with the environment and its quality. The second benchmark is related to a fundraising process, aiming at contributing financially to conservation projects that can assure access to water, air quality and access to other forest resources and environmental services. The businesses and people will be able to be part of the platform and become #FansDeLaNaturaleza through monetary or in-kind contributions, participating in the projects as volunteers and providing institutional support. Additionally, PIENSA VERDE would like to contribute to achieve Bolivia´s international environmental commitments established in the Sustainable Development Goals promoted by the United Nations, in particular to SDG 15: Life on land: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss, a goal that has fallen well behind due to the fires in 2019 that affected 5.3 million hectares in Bolivia as a whole. Deforestation and desertification caused by human activities and climate change entail great challenges for sustainable development and have affected lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the fight against poverty. The situation described worsens by the fact that nowadays there is not enough funding to face these problems. These last years, environmental foundations and NGOs that depended on international aid in Bolivia, have reduced dramatically. Public investment directed towards environmental conservation has also diminished and today, it represents less than 1% of the GDP. Lack of funding and other great environmental challenges need to be confronted by Bolivia, among them, the urgent need to reduce deforestation rates which these last years have placed us among the most deforesting countries in the world [1], other priority actions include rehabilitating the systems that were affected by the fires in 2019 [2], and protecting endangered species currently highly threatened by illegal trade and habitat loss. Out of the 5.3 million hectares affected by the fires, 3.9 correspond to the department of Santa Cruz, and 1.2 million hectares in Beni. Consequently, the first call for projects that will be launched with the support of PIENSA VERDE will focus on the Chiquitanía. The launching of the platform took place at Los Tajibos Hotel, with the participation of representatives from the different member NGOs of the platform, senior executives of the member businesses and other guests related to the environmental sector, as well as local and national authorities that manifested their concern and compromise with the cause. In 2018 Bolivia lost a total of 154,488 ha of primary forest, positioning themselves as one of the five countries with the highest deforestation in the world (World Resources Institute, 2019). In 2019, the Amigos de la Naturaleza Foundation (FAN) reported that nationwide, the total area burnt reached to 5,3 million in 2019 (FAN, 2019).

Bolivian government, producers and WCS sign agreement for vicuña conservation and management of vicuña fiber

cflorest@wcs.org — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 16:49:00 GMT

The vicuña represents a conservation success, arising from a significant increase in wild populations as well as remarkable results in fiber management and in participation of vicuna manager communities in Bolivia. However, there are new conservation challenges for the species and also new economic challenges and opportunities. This WCS experience highlights some key issues on the health, habitat and quality of vicuña fiber. In order to evaluate the progress and achievements so far, and identify priority actions to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of vicuña, the Community Association for the Marketing of Vicuña Fiber (ACOFIV-Bolivia) carried out a technical workshop in La Paz, on January 9 and 10, with the participation of 26 representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Water, the General Directorate of Biodiversity, the National Service of Protected Areas, ACOFIV-Bolivia and other regional associations of vicuña managers as well as supporting institutions, including WCS. The workshop concluded with the signing of a document that constitutes a strategic agreement to carry out a joint work plan between the state entities and the associations of vicuña managers, whose priority actions focus on the health of vicuña populations and domestic cattle, on habitat conservation, on the compatibility of this activity with other activities carried out in the communities, on the marketing of vicuña fiber and on the normative and institutional aspects. WCS presented results of the vicuña censuses conducted in Apolobamba, advances on veterinary health studies and workshops, and with the support of Welttierschutgesellschaft (WTG), training on improving shearing techniques, which result in improvement of fiber quality. Additionally, WCS presented progress on the evaluation of the status of pastures, peatlands and water sources in this region, aiming to ensure conservation and good nutrition of vicuñas and domestic camelids. Currently, activities towards the integrated management of the vicuña population in Apolobamba are funded by the Darwin Initiative.