Protecting critical cloud forest habitat to establish a conservation corridor in the Central Cordillera of Colombia

The rich volcanic soils of the Central Andes have resulted in the highest rural population in Colombia, with the tragic consequence that less than 5% of the native forest here survives. ProAves has identified that forest loss is the major threat to the many endemic and threatened species of the Central Cordillera. The upper montane forests in this region have been subjected to widespread and severe deforestation to the extent that almost all forest has been cleared in the region. The poor state of the forest in this region is reflected by the fact that all of the restricted-range birds are considered either threatened or near-threatened. The forests continue to be felled as a result of agricultural expansion (including clearance for pasture), and further degradation is projected to continue. One critical area for endemic and threatened species is a region of large private farms with some relict montane forest patches in the municipality of Roncesvalles and Cajamarca in the Department of Tolima. With increased national security and prosperity has come a wave of investors buying large and often inexpensive private farms in the region. ProAves has identified 8 critical properties with threatened species that are for sale. These properties have been studied for ten years by ProAves following the discovery of five parrot species at risk of extinction – the greatest concentration in one area on the planet. The area of Roncesvalles is the stronghold for one of the rarest parrots in the Americas – the Yellow-eared Parrot Ognorhynchus icterotis (Critically Endangered) – with 90% of all known breeding birds at this site. Properties in Roncesvalles and Cajamarca both support a small population of the Indigo-winged Parrot Hapalopsittaca fuertesi (Critically Endangered) with an estimated global population of just 200 individuals. With IUCN-NL SPN support of €85,000, we specifically aim to purchase the 1,200 ha Juan Patiño property which is a strategically vital part of the corridor. This support will match €25,000 that is being provided by World Land Trust-U.S., and American Bird Conservancy to cover the total cost of €110,000 for the property, signage, legal fees, and overhead. The property will help to consolidate conservation in the area which already includes 2,692 ha protected by ProAves with ABC and IUCN-NL SPN support on the adjacent western slope of the Central Andes above the town of Génova, which will greatly facilitate management and biodiversity connectivity.