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

Yanacocha Reserve

Target size: REACHED: 1,250 ha (3,100 acres)
Current size, May 2008: about 1,300 ha (3,300 acres)

The Yanacocha reserve was established in 2001 to protect almost the entire known world population of the Critically Endangered hummingbird, the Black-breasted Puffleg, whose known range is restricted to the Pichincha Volcano, just north west of Quito. The habitat is mainly high altitude Polylepis forest, of a type which is severely depleted throughout the Andes due to agriculture and charcoal production. Management of the reserve is very much integrated with the local community, who offered the land for purchase to Fundación Jocotoco. It is a popular site for visitors from Quito, with spectacular views over the summit of Pichincha, and to more distant volcanoes. Many of the hummingbirds, including Swordbills can be closely seen at feeders.

Wildlife at Yanacocha

Black-breasted Puffleg. Yanacocha is one of very few known locations for this hummingbird species, whose preferred habitat seems to be the forested ridges of the reserve.

Yanacocha is home to Puma and Spectacled Bear and the critically endangered Black-breasted Puffleg.

Near threatened and restricted range bird species found here include:

• Curve-billed Tinamou
• Carunculated Caracara
• Imperial snipe
• Golden-breasted Puffleg
• Rainbow-bearded Thornbill
• Ecuadorian Hillstar
• Giant Conebill

Fundación Jocotoco reserves:

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

« Back to Jocotoco Reserves page

More Information on the Tropical Forest Project

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