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This year, Rainforest Trust supported long-standing Colombian partner, Fundación ProAves, in the strategic purchase of multiple properties, expanding El Jaguar Reserve by 5,421 acres. The new expansion enlarges the protected area to a total of 10,326 acres of Amazon rainforests that were at grave risk of deforestation for oil palm plantations.

El Jaguar Reserve is home to an exceptional diversity and abundance of large mammals.

The reserve’s lakes, rivers and marshes provide habitat for Amazon River Dolphins and Giant River Otters, while its forests are home to Giant Anteaters, Capybaras, South American Tapirs and Brown Woolly Monkeys. The reserve also protects a stronghold population of Jaguars, providing them with renewed opportunities to rebound and reclaim territory.

The forests and waterways of El Jaguar Reserve offer refuge to more than 300 bird species, including the Rose-breasted Chat, Velvet-fronted Grackle, Dot-backed Antbird, Black Curassow, Horned Screamer and Blue-throated Piping Guan.

Increasing growth of oil palm plantations pose serious challenges to the remarkable assortment of Amazonian wildlife found around the reserve and throughout Central Colombia. The expansion of El Jaguar Reserve is a major step forward in ensuring protection for this important wildlife refuge and its diverse inhabitants.

This project was made possible thanks to the generous support of Edith McBean, BTS USA, Global Wildlife Conservation, Larry Thompson and an anonymous supporter.