The biodiversity that our protected areas harbour continues to amaze us. In the ProAves Colibrí del Sol Reserve, located in the municipality of Urrao, Antioquia, we made an important observation of an Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus), one of the most iconic and endangered species of the tropical Andes.
The observation was made close to the main house by our ranger, Walter Galindo and he even captured the mammal on video! This sighting marks a milestone for the conservation of the region and highlights the effectiveness of the protection strategies implemented by ProAves. It also shows that the Andean Bear is actively using these ecosystems, reinforcing the importance of maintaining and connecting biological corridors in the Colombian Andes.
The Andean Bear, also known as the Spectacled Bear, is the only bear species in South America and is currently listed as Vulnerable (VU) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Its survival is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation and illegal hunting.
This charismatic mammal inhabits mountain ecosystems, such as inter-Andean forests, cloud forests, and páramos, where it plays a crucial role as a seed disperser and regulator of ecological processes.
“I was going about my usual rounds, bringing water to the páramo feeders, when I noticed something unusual: several birds flew off in fear. I quickly grabbed my camera to capture the moment, and that’s when I saw it—the Andean Bear coming down the trail. I was scared because it was the first time I had encountered one and it was only 25 meters away. Despite the fear, I felt a wave of emotion having it so close, realising that our conservation efforts are directly contributing to the protection of this incredible biodiversity,” said Walter Galindo, ProAves Ranger.
In addition to protecting the Andean Bear, our ProAves Colibrí del Sol Reserve also protects a wide diversity of unique flora and fauna. We conserve species like Dusky starfrontlet (Coeligena orina), an endemic hummingbird species endangered (EN) species that has not been observed for more than 50 years. Furthermore, we preserve one of the best-conserved páramo ecosystems in the region.
This new sighting of the Andean Bear reaffirms the strategic importance of our ProAves Colibrí del Sol Reserve as a vital wildlife refuge. Species like the Andean Bear are highly sensitive to environmental changes, and this observation underscores that our ongoing conservation efforts, through ecological restoration and monitoring are producing tangible, positive outcomes for biodiversity.
At ProAves, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting high-Andean ecosystems and preserving biological corridors that ensure the movement and survival of threatened species. Discoveries like this reinforce the critical importance of continuing to collaborate with local communities, environmental authorities, and both national and international partners to safeguard Colombia’s rich natural heritage.
