Perhaps the planet’s most diverse and unique treasure trove of wildlife is the little known and often overlooked Chocó biological hotspot. This narrow swathe of rainforest is sandwiched between the Pacific coast and high Andes, averaging just 50 miles wide while extending 600 miles from western Colombia to northwestern Ecuador. Covering less than 50,000 square miles (smaller than the State of New York), these lush rainforests are the wettest on earth and contain the highest concentrations of endemic biodiversity found on any continent.
Unfortunately, for many decades, the conservation of this region has been overlooked. As a consequence, it remains significantly under-protected (less than 5% is under strict protection) with few controls preventing the large-scale deforestation that is destroying these rainforests at an unprecedented rate.
Many endemic birds, plants and amphibians in the Chocó biological hotspot are at risk of extinction. Within this biogeographical region lies the Department of Chocó— a regional province covering almost half of the entire Chocó hotspot of western Colombia. Just 3.7% of the Chocó department land area is strictly protected, with only three small National Parks located along the coast and highest peaks. Yet, the most at-risk, range-restricted species are concentrated in the wettest mid-elevation rainforests between 3,000 to 7,000 feet. The persistent cloud cover and precipitation in this area provides crucial biotic and physiological features to make it a melting pot of unique biodiversity. For example, over 50 bird species and 2,000 orchid species are restricted to this region.
Conservation Allies partner, Fundación ProAves, has been active in this region for over 20 years, having established nine nature reserves targeting strict protection for the hotspot’s most endangered species. One of these reserves, named “Las Tangaras,” was established in 2012 within the municipality of El Carmen de Atrato. Its creation followed a biodiversity expedition that unveiled various unique amphibian species for scientific study, including the identification of the endangered Chocó Vireo and Gold-ringed Tanager. Subsequently, ProAves secured support to purchase private forested lands earmarked for new cattle ranches, establishing the first protection of subtropical rainforest in the Chocó department.
In recent years, the Reserve has been under intense pressure following the discovery of significant gold deposits around the reserve and a proposed Chinese-owned hydroelectric project. Overwhelmed by gold-miners, ProAves worked with the Regional Autonomous Corporation for the Sustainable Development of Chocó (CODECHOCÓ) to declare the Las Tangaras Reserve as a Regional Natural Park, thereby ensuring permanent protection by the state.
In January 2024, CODECHOCÓ made a historic announcement, officially designating Las Tangaras Regional Natural Park, safeguarding 5,722 acres of pristine subtropical rainforest. This declaration represented a significant milestone, marking the department’s first-ever Regional Park and its first officially protected area in nearly four decades. Moreover, Las Tangaras Regional Park stands out as the first Regional Park featuring a dedicated birding and ecotourism lodge. It ranks among the top five most bird-rich sites in Colombia, boasting an impressive 557 species, which equates to over 1 in 20 bird species found worldwide.
The historic declaration of Las Tangaras Regional Natural Park was a collaboration between Fundacion ProAves and CODECHOCÓ, with support from American Bird Conservancy, Conservation International, ASOCARS, and Conservation Allies.
