Tapichalaca Reserve. See a larger image. (Use your back button to return here.)

Tapichalaca Reserve and Christopher Parsons Reserve

Target size: 8,000 ha (19,800 acres)
Current size, May 2008: about 3,800 ha (9,400 acres)

The Tapichalaca Reserve, where the Jocotoco Antpitta was discovered in 1997, protects an unusually wet area of temperate forest on the east slope of the Andes. As well as almost the entire known population of the Antpitta, ten other Red data Book bird species are present, and of particular interest are flocks of brightly coloured montane Tanagers, and a wide variety of hummingbirds. Plant diversity is exceptional with over 150 globally threatened species, including over 30 threatened species of orchids. Nine threatened species of frog have recently been recorded.

Since the initial purchase of 650 hectares in 1998, the reserve has been progressively expanded, to an area of ca 3800 ha by 2005, and habitat types from high altitude paramo (at 3500 m) to sub-tropical montane forest (at 1800 m) are now represented. Spectacled Bear and Mountain Tapir are quite abundant at the higher elevations.

A lodge for research workers and visitors was opened in 2001.

Christopher Parsons reserve

In 2003, Sir David Attenborough launched an appeal that successfully raised funds to purchase the Christopher Parsons Reserve, in memory of the late Christopher Parsons OBE. Chris was the Director of the television series "Life on Earth", a Trustee of the World Land Trust and a close friend of Sir David Attenborough. The Christopher Parsons Reserve is adjacent to that at Tapichalaca.

Wildlife at Tapichalaca

Maxillaria yanganensis This is one of the orchid species which have only been recorded from Tapichalaca.

Tapichalaca is home to the following globally threatened bird species:

• Bearded Guan
• Golden-plumed Parakeet
• Jocotoco Antpitta
• White-breasted Parakeet
• Masked Mountain-Tanager
• Coppery-chested Jacamar

More than 10 near threatened and restricted range (endemic) species of birds can also be found at Tapichalaca. Other wildlife include about 130 endemic plants, of which 25 are considered endangered and 95 vulnerable. About 65 endemic orchids are recorded from Tapichalaca. 29 of these orchid species have not been seen elsewhere in the world.

Eleutherodactylus spinosus frog. The photo was taken by in September 2003 close to the visitors' lodge. MECN believes it is the first photo of this species, previously known only from a museum specimen.

The Museum of Natural Sciences Quito (MECN) commenced a detailed survey of reptiles and amphibians in Fundación Jocotoco's reserves during December 2003, initially at Tapichalaca. The Phase 1 report (Feb. 2004) has identified the presence of twelve globally threatened frogs. One of these is Hyla tapichalaca, first discovered in the Tapichalaca reserve.

Unknown Ancient Civilisation Discovered

In 2000 some artifacts, probably originating from a burial site, were discovered washed out of a road cutting. These have been studied in detail by a French archaeological team, and have been shown to be 4500 years old. This makes them amongst the oldest known human artifacts yet found in the Amazon basin. This new culture has been named the Mayo, from the river which runs through it.

Fundación Jocotoco reserves:

| Buenaventura | Jorupe | Narupa | Río Canandé | Tapichalaca | Utuana | Yanacocha | Yunguilla |

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More Information on the Tropical Forest Project

To learn more about the Ecuador project visit the main project page: Help Save the Rainforests.