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Fundación ProAves – por la conservación en el país de las aves

Category: Noticias Águila Harpía

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ProAves Reserves: Key Refuges for Colombia’s Most Threatened Primates

Colombia is home to 43 primate species, making it the country with the third highest primate diversity in Latin America, after Brazil and Peru. This figure is particularly significant considering that South America hosts 177 primate species, many of which are endemic and highly threatened—positioning Colombia as a key player in regional conservation efforts.

These charismatic mammals play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem health: they disperse seeds, aid in forest regeneration, and act as indicators of environmental balance. 

According to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Colombia has 3 primate species classified as Critically Endangered (CR), 5 as Endangered (EN), and 15 as Vulnerable (VU). 

Among the most threatened are the Caquetá Titi (Plecturocebus caquetensis), the Cotton-top Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus), and the Brown Spider Monkey (Ateles hybridus), whose populations have drastically declined due to habitat loss and fragmentation, agricultural expansion, and the illegal wildlife trade. This situation calls for urgent action to strengthen conservation and ecosystem restoration strategies in the areas these species inhabit.

At Fundación ProAves, we actively work across our 27 Nature Reserves, protecting strategic habitats for these at-risk species:

These mammals inhabit tropical forests that, thanks to continuous conservation, restoration, and education efforts, remain vital refuges for their survival.

To protect them, we implement actions such as:


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Habitat conservation and restoration to ensure safe areas where primates can thrive free from threats.


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Environmental education programs with local communities to discourage the keeping of primates as pets and reduce hunting.


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Scientific research to better understand their ecology, behavior, and population status.

Our commitment to primate conservation is a pledge to preserve ecosystem balance and ensure a healthy future for the generations to come. We will continue to strengthen our efforts through joint work with local communities, environmental authorities, and strategic allies—promoting a comprehensive conservation model that values and respects the natural wealth of our territories.

Learn more about these charismatic mammals at:

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News Noticias Águila Harpía Noticias Arrierito Antioqueño Noticias Chamicero de Perijá Noticias Colibrí del Sol Noticias Cucarachero de Chicamocha Noticias El Dorado Noticias El Jaguar Noticias El Mirador Noticias El Pangán Noticias El Paujil Noticias El Tapir Noticias Giles Fuertesi Noticias Gorrión de Andivia Noticias Halcón Colorado Noticias Hormiguero de Torcoroma Noticias Las Tángaras Noticias Lora Carirosada Noticias Loro Coroniazul Noticias Loro Orejiamarillo Noticias Loros Andinos Noticias Mirabilis Swarovki Noticias Pauxi Pauxi Noticias Ranita Dorada Noticias Ranita Terribilis Noticias Reinita Cielo Azul Noticias Tití Cabeciblanco Noticias Zamarrito del Pinche

Great Bird Count in ProAves Reserves

ProAves participated in the October Big Day and added a total of 81 eBird lists– with 3,578 individuals and 588 distinct species of birds across 12 of their reserves.

This puts the Foundation’s Nature Reserves among the top tier of the eBird listings in Colombia: The reserve “El Jaguar” came in first place at the national level with a total of 150 species, the “El Pangán” reserve ranked fourth place with 113 species and the “Arrierito Antioqueño” reserve came in eighth place with 106 registered species.

OCTOBER BIG DAY, EVERY BIRD COUNTS

With 253 countries participating in the October Big Day (OBD), Colombia ranked first in the number of species registered worldwide on the eBird platform. The country topped the list in bird watching with 1,343 published bird species. Second and third place belongs to Peru and Ecuador, with 1,222 and 1,098 recorded species, respectively.

Colombia, known as the world’s premier hotspot for avian biodiversity, came together again and demonstrated its love for birds on the October Big Day. This citizen science initiative, organized by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, mobilized thousands of Colombians, accumulating an incredible sum of 3,476 eBird checklists across the country. In comparison, birders from the United States submitted over 33,000 checklists, summing only 631 total species (less than half that Colombia). This is a testament to the immense biodiversity of Colombia.

The largest bird count in the world was held on a very special date, coinciding with World Migratory Bird Day and the arrival of thousands of avian migrants, coming to spend the winter months feeding in the ecological haven that is Colombia.

We thank all the people and institutions that support the conservation of birds, especially:

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News Noticias Águila Harpía

Ninfa, Protecting the Heart of the Colombian Amazon

The job of a forest ranger consists of protecting forests, caring for the species that live there, and learning to interpret the small changes in nature that are imperceptible to many– the hatching of an insect, the croaking of a frog or the flapping of a hummingbird. Forest Ranger Ninfa Carianil Damaso is immersed in these sounds on a daily basis as she conducts boat tours and walking tours along the conservation areas surrounding the Guaviare River.

Ninfa, a woman of indigenous descent, protects the tropical forests from the constant threats of hunters, loggers and settlers who seek to settle in this area. Her example of determination, strength and commitment to caring for nature in the face of adversity has made Ninfa a role model and an inspiration for thousands of women.

Thanks to the extraordinary work that Ninfa does for the environment and its species, she was one of the winners of the important International Park Rangers Award of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).

“For ProAves is extremely important to empower women and provide opportunities to be actively involved in protecting nature”, says Sara Lara, Executive Director.
GUARDIAN OF THE REMOTE ÁGUILA ARPÍA PROAVES RESERVE

The Águila Arpía ProAves Reserve is located southeast of the Eastern Colombian Andes Range, in the town of Raudal de la Mapiripana (Guainía Department). This conservation area protects the habitat of more than 300 species of birds, including the Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), and other species of mammals, such as primates, jaguars, and tapirs.

The Nature Reserve, located in the heart of the Colombian Amazon, is difficult to access and internet connectivity is very limited, so Ninfa constantly faces challenges as she reports the news of the reserve. Ninfa has embraced these difficulties, and carries out her conservation work with great commitment and professionalism. 

Being the first female forest ranger for ProAves, and fulfilling this important conservation work in such a respectable way, makes Ninfa a role model for many young women across the region. 

In order to keep the trails passable, Ninfa utilizes GPS applications, camera traps, binoculars, and field guides. In this line of work, she must always keep a machete handy for clearing the dense vegetation that quickly overgrows the trails. Ninfa conducts this work with great courage and enthusiasm. In her early 30’s, she has already become a voice of encouragement and strength for women who, like her, want to be protectors of the most valuable treasures on the planet, the environment and its species.

We thank Women For Conservation, Permian Global and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for inspiring, empowering and connecting Colombian women in the beautiful world of conservation.

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News Noticias Noticias Águila Harpía Women for Conservation (Mujeres por la Conservación)

Ninfa, Winner of the International Ranger Award

With great pride we congratulate Ninfa Carianil Damaso, first female forest ranger of Fundación ProAves for being one of the winners of the important International Park Rangers Award of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). This prestigious award was developed in collaboration with the International Federation of Rangers, Global Wildlife Conservation and Conservation Allies.

This great environmental recognition, announced today by Julia Miranda, Deputy President of WCPA, highlights the extraordinary work that Ninfa does for the environment and the work of many female fighters who, despite adversity, are on the front line day after day to protect nature and animals.

ProAves is grateful to have Ninfa on the conservation team, as she acts as an example for thousands of women who seek to take care of our country’s wildlife. Therefore, the best way to honor this great recognition is by making visible the leading role that women have in conservation and praising their great work in preserving the most valuable treasure we have on the planet, the environment and its species.

“Ninfa has proven to be an example of resilience and courage. Through her hard work and love of conservation, she has become a role model for many young women. We are proud to be able to empower women in conservation”, says Sara Lara, Director of the Fundación ProAves. She adds that “women are strength, passion and energy, that is why it is very important that we continue to contribute from all areas to the protection of biodiversity and that our voice be heard.”

ProAves is committed to gender empowerment in the protection of biodiversity, and more than 60% of its staff is women.

NINFA, A VOICE OF STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE

Since arriving at the Águila Arpía ProAves Reserve in 2012, Ninfa and her husband, José Rufino Mora, have become the protectors of the 2,596 hectares of vast rainforest on the south bank of the Guaviare River. They worked hard to establish strong ties with the community and protect the area.

The reserve, located in the northern buffer area of the Nukak Natural Reserve -one of the last strips of unprotected tropical forest in the Colombian Amazon- is made up of properties bought from settlers eager to deforest the area, but thanks to the efforts of Ninfa and her husband, it was possible to recover the ecosystem that had been degraded.

 Ninfa’s life took an unexpected turn in 2019 when her 10-year-old son, Johan Sebastián, drowned in the Guaviare River in front of the reserve cabin. Heartbroken, Ninfa and her husband buried him in the reserve, where he loved to be. Then, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, her husband Rufino was unable to obtain medication due to the remote location of the reserve, and tragically he died in May 2020.

Despite the unfortunate events, Ninfa has moved on and is an example of improvement. Since then, she undertook the beautiful challenge of being the Foundation’s first female forest ranger, a task that she has carried out with great commitment and professionalism, fulfilling all the responsibilities entrusted to her to protect tropical forests from the constant threats of hunters, loggers and settlers seeking to establish settlements in this area.

Ninfa has shown, with great courage and fervor, to be the protector of the remote and highly threatened rainforest, located in the heart of the Colombian Amazon. She carries out daily surveillance of river and land boundaries (monitoring of bird species), general maintenance of the reserve facilities, works as a community and outreach leader, maintains border roads and a tree nursery for reforestation.

Her example of determination, strength and commitment to protect nature in the face of great adversity has positioned her as an inspiration for the women of Colombia, especially because of her humble origins and the impact that the armed conflict had on her life. Although only in her early 30s, Ninfa, a woman of indigenous descent, is becoming a strong voice for women and a local leader in the community.

Ninfa is very proactive, which is why she has also assisted with research in the reserve and with species monitoring, such as deploying camera traps and conducting bird censuses with the eBird app, in which her 10-year-old son, Darwin, joins her. Together they have motivated children from the local community to get involved with conservation and have even formed a group of young bird watchers in this remote location.

  • Read the full IUCN and WCPA article on the winners of the International Ranger Award here.

TOGETHER FOR CONSERVATION

Thanks to the support of Permian Global, who has supported conservation processes in the area for almost a decade, and Women For Conservation have been able to train and empower Ninfa in her role as a forest ranger.

We also thank IUCN, WCPA,  International Ranger Federation, Global Wildlife Conservation and Conservation Allies for this extraordinary recognition.