Expanding the Rio Bigal Biological Reserve

Created in 2008, the Sumac Muyu Foundation is an Ecuadorian NGO dedicated to species and habitat conservation to preserve genetic diversity and natural resources, with the goal of fostering harmony between people and nature. The Foundation's mission is to protect the lands within the Avila-Bigal-Payamino Biological Corridor in perpetuity, linking the highlands of Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park with the Payamino lowlands.

Sumac Muyu's private protected area, known as the Bigal River Biological Reserve, is home to 544 bird species, 56 large mammal species, 77 reptile species, numerous amphibians, and over 750 butterfly species. Key conservation species classified as Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN include the White-bellied Spider Monkey, Lowland Tapir, Spectacled Bear, Gray Tinamou, and Military Macaw. Additionally, the area is critically important for species such as jaguars, bush dogs, peccaries (both white-lipped and collared), Salvin’s Curassow, Ground Cuckoo, and rare frog species, all of which are at risk of extinction without immediate habitat preservation.

In September 2023, Sumac Muyu acquired a 46-hectare parcel to expand the reserve, funded by QRFN and OtterFonds. This acquisition expands the Rio Bigal Biological Reserve to approximately 1,500 hectares. This reserve connects the protected highlands of Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park with the Payamino lowlands, creating a continuous protected corridor along the eastern slope of Volcan Sumaco, known as the Bigal-Payamino Corridor. Additionally, the reserve contributes to a broader conservation effort extending westward to Antisana National Park, forming the Antisana-Payamino Corridor. The newly acquired land is vital for securing these corridors, preventing encroachment into the national park, and serving as a buffer zone.

Furthermore, the Suno River, the last major pristine freshwater source in the area, will benefit from this conservation effort. Protecting the Suno River and its surrounding lands is crucial for maintaining local hydrology and preventing negative impacts on both wildlife and human communities.

QRFN's prompt response and full funding for the land purchase have been instrumental, demonstrating their vital role as a key partner and supporter of the Bigal River Conservation Project.

Written by Thierry Garcia (Executive Director, Sumac Muyu Foundation) and edited by Sanjiv Fernando (QRFN).