Spectacled Bear by Dennis Stephenson
These photographs of an endearing Spectacled Bear were taken by Naturetrek client Dennis Stephenson during our Ecuador - Cock of the Rock tour in November. The lucky encounter was in Yanacocha, a protected area supported by the Jocotoco Foundation on the slopes of Volcan Pichincha, just an hour outside of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The reserve protects a large area (960 ha) of elfin Polylepis forest; a threatened habitat due to large-scale clearance for charcoal production and for agriculture.
The reserve is home to the Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis) and quite possibly contains the entire world range of this very rare hummingbird. The area is also an important source of water for the city of Quito. It is extraordinary to have such a large area of important and intact habitat so close to a large conurbation like Quito.
To learn more about Yanacocha and the valuable work of the Jocotoco Fountation, click here.
We still have a few places available on our Cock of the Rock tour on 17th March. Click here for details.