Within the Chaparri reserve in Peru, the spectacled bears, having long lived in captivity, savor their new freedom. WWF supports their reintroduction (1).
The Kindness of the Chaparri
In Peru, there is a place the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) has found a wild refuge where human beings do not need to be feared. Three hours southeast of Chiclayo, in the Chongoyape district, this species is born, grows, and reproduces within 34 thousand ha. of Chaparri Private Conservation Area. This is the first communal private reserve in the country and it is managed by campesinos (rural, small farmers) from Santa Catalina de Chongoyape.
The Chaparri mountain is an intermediate geographic point between the Andes and the desert plains of the coast. According to legend, the wizards and shamans from Lambayeque have always visited this \”Apu\” or sacred mountain to collect natural hallucinogens and other herbs from the dry forest that surrounds the mountain. Because of this mystique and natural wonder, this mountain and its forests have only been marginally degraded and are found in good condition compared to the dry forests of northern Peru, which have been and continue to be heavily degraded (2).
Despite this, traditionally there was frequent hunting on this land. The majority of the hunting expeditions killed the South American grey fox (Pseudalopex sechurae), white tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus), spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), and white-winged guan (Penélope albipennis). In addition, the timber companies continually deforested the dry forests of the zone. The Chongoyape townspeople, who did not benefit from these activities, observed this irrational use of the natural resources. For this reason they decided to organize in order to defend their flora and fauna resources.
At the same time, the renowned nature photographer, Heinz Plenge, was searching for a place to remain in contact with wildlife and to rest from his interminable trips all over Peru. At this time, Bernie Peyton, Plenge\’s close friend and biologist at the University of California Berkeley, a specialist on the spectacled bear, contacted him. They both explored the possibilities of managing a conservation project where the original proprietors – the townspeople – assumed management control. Thus, communication began between the Chongoyape Campesina Community, Peyton, Plenge, and later the NGO Naym Lap Association.
A pact was established in the following way: Plenge would help the community to organize and defend their rights, and in exchange they would adopt a management plan to care for their resources and environment. Because Heinz Plenge seemed to be a trustworthy man, the Santa Catalina de Chongoyape community began working. A management committee was created headed by leading nature lovers and those interested in improving the quality of life in their community. A local administrative committee and 5 technical committees were developed: ranching, hunting reserves, environmental education and health, as well as two small businesses, ecotourism and beekeeping. Heinz was asked to be an honorary member of the community.
Safety for the Spectacled Bear and the White-winged Guan
In Peru, only 400 to 500 spectacled bears remain in the wild. The species is found on the World Conservation Union\’s (IUCN) Red List of threatened species. One of the principal projects of Chaparri is to save the spectacled bear.
Peyton, through work with the campesinos, has succeeded in rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintroducing bears that the Peruvian Ecological Police confiscated from circuses and private property. However, explains Plenge, some bears are impossible to reintroduce into their environment. For example, they have a particular bear that they know will live permanently in the 25 thousand square meters of protected land where they can keep an eye on him instead of reintroducing him into the wild. This bear has broken teeth and a cleft jaw. A male cannot survive like this in the wild.
Among the bears that have succeeded in being reintroduced into their natural habitat, there are specimens that weigh 200 kilos (440 lbs.): 40 kilos (88 lbs.) more than normal. There is a documented case where a bear, which was freed with the use of telemetric equipment donated by the Pro-Endangered Fauna Backus Foundation, was seen some time after being reintroduced with two cubs.
This type of success has been repeated in the white-winged guan reintroduction project as well. This species was declared extinct, nevertheless, INRENA and the Santa Catalina de Chongoyape Community made an agreement to study and reintroduce the bird in the Barbara D\’Achille Animal Facility in Olmos, Lambayeque. Sixteen birds have been freed in the Las Pavas ravine in Chaparri. There are now 350 white-winged guans in the wild.
Santa Catalina de Chongoyape
Juan Carrasco, a member of the Santa Catalina de Chongoyape campesina community and Principal Secretary of the Management Committee of Chaparri comments that the project does more than just conserve the zone\’s biodiversity; it has also benefited the 500 community members. The project has generated income and jobs and it has improved the quality of life for the campesinos. In order to promote ecotourism in the area, positions were created for guides, waiters, cooks, cleaning personnel, horse rentals, food service, artisans, and accommodation and transportation providers. In addition, WWF supported a workshop in which three professionals trained 15 volunteer park guards.
In addition, Chaparri annually organizes the Bear Cup, a local soccer championship tournament to entertain and help spread awareness. Only the villages that pledge to protect the bear are allowed to participate. The slogan of the championship was \”the Bear is Water.\” This refers to the importance of the species in the ecosystem. The bear scatters seeds and aids in the spread vegetation. This vegetation is responsible for conserving water, a resource of fundamental importance in a dry forest region. The championship was very well received.
For the Chaparri managers there is still much left to do. The next projects include a project to reintroduce guanacos (Lama guanicoe) and forest condors (Sarcoranphus papa). Beekeeping and seasonal hunting will also be developed. Before these projects can begin, a serious threat must be overcome. The Peruvian mining company, El Solitario, is poised to begin operations a half kilometer from Chaparri, on land adjacent to the populated area. And, two kilometers (1.2 miles) away are the Chancay river and the Tinajones resevoir. Now the most important challenge is protecting their conservation successes, and themselves, from pending threats that could destroy everything they have achieved.
ParksWatch – Peru: November 2003
By: Inés Vera Pinzás
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Notes:
1 Arnold, Martín \”Via libera agli orsi!\” WWF magazine, 2/2003. \”Nella riserva de Chaparri, in Perú, gli orsi dagli occhiali vissuto a lungo in cattivitá assaporano nuovamente la liberta. Il WWF sostiene il loro reinsediamento.\”
2 Reaño V., Guillermo, \”En Chaparri ha Nacido la Esperanza\” In: Rumbos de Sol y Piedra. Año VI, No 34. Peru 2002. Actual quote: \”Los brujos y chamanes de Lambayeque siempre han visitado este Apu o montaña sagrada para recolectar alucinógenos naturales y otras hierbas del bosque seco que la rodea. Precisamente esta naturaleza mística y profana ha sido una de las causas que ha hecho posible que el lugar se mantenga relativamente al margen de la depredación a la que ha estado y están sometidos los bosques secos del norte del Perú\”