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Jungle Rescue |
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| Rainforest Rescue has high hopes with its latest
project - 20,000 hectares of old growth rainforest in Ecuador. In the low, speckled light of the South American rainforest, the Jaguar is hard to make out. Her sleek, spotted body, almost two metres long, moves stealthily through the undergrowth, lightly brushing up against the ferns and bromeliads that flourish in the warm mists. Apart from her two cubs, she lives alone in a home range of about twenty-five square kilometres. When the cubs turn two, they will have to leave and find territories of their own. Like many other species on the planet vulnerable to clearing and fragmentation of their habitat, Jaguars are now endangered and rarely seen. "If we don't act now to save the remaining rainforest, these creatures will disappear altogether from the wild," says Rainforest Rescue Executive Officer, Kelvin Davies. "And it's not just Jaguars we'll lose. We're talking about a global biodiversity hot spot - Ecuador occupies only 0.2% of the Earth's land surface, yet contains 10% of know plant species. These forests suffer impacts from logging, mining and unsustainable farming on a daily basis." Kelvin Davies is talking about the magnificent rainforests of Ecuador - a place so rich in species it almost defies belief. Well over a hundred different hummingbirds whiz through the foliage, wild cats stalk the jungle floor and monkeys travel through the forests feeding on the ripening fruits. "The rainforests of Ecuador are one of the earth's most important natural resources," says Kelvin. "As well as their amazing plant and animal life, tribes of indigenous people depend on the forests and hold a wealth of knowledge about this precious ecosystem." Ecuador is located in the north west of South America. The diverse climatic zones afford this small country one the highest levels of biodiversity in the world and one of the greatest levels of endemism (species native only to particular geographic region). As well as supporting some large predators like the Bespectacled Bear, the forests boast some of the world's most exotic-sounding birds - Andean Cock-of-the-Rocks, Toucan Barbetts, and Golden Headed Quetzals. In fact, the region's rainforests are so rich in species that scientists can only hazard a guess at their numbers. Many species are endangered, while others are probably disappearing before science discovers them. The Mountain Tapir - an unusual hoofed animal weighing up to 300 kilograms - is just one of the species under threat and could be driven to extinction within two decades. Meanwhile, a type of lithe, medium sized cat - the Ocelot - is highly prized for its fur and pet potential and with deforestation destroying much of its habitat, its future also looks grim. Rainforest Rescue, however, is doing something positive to stop this trend. The Australian-based organisation's 'Ecuador "Save a Hectare" Project' aims to secure the protection of tens of thousands of hectares of pristine rainforest. "We've created a way for ordinary people to do something that will make a real difference," explains Kelvin. "Every A$200 donation we receive for the project is helping to protect a whole hectare of old growth rainforest." With this support, Kelvin says the additional 20,000 hectares will complete a vital corridor between the Andean cloud forests and the lowland forests of the Awa Ethnic Reserve. "This particular stretch of rainforest contains the overlap of flora and fauna from the Central American, Amazonian and Andean regions." "Corridors of rainforest are pathways to survival. With the completion of this project, reptiles, mammals, birds, insects and even plants will be able to continue to move freely between the biggest reserves in western Ecuador." The 'Ecuador "Save a Hectare" Project' extends the inspiring work of Rainforest Concern, which began in 1994 and led to the purchase of a 12,000-hectare corridor in 2002. Launched in 2003, the new initiative is being undertaken in partnership with Rainforest Concern (UK) and the Rainforest Information Centre (Lismore, Australia). Information on how the land is purchased, protected, and managed as well as how the local indigenous people are involved is available on the Rainforest Rescue web site and in a Special Ecuador Issue of the organisation's newsletter available on request. Individuals, schools and businesses wanting to get involved in the project can find out more by visiting www.rainforestrescue.org.au or by phoning (02) 6629 1395. Special Ecuador "Save a Hectare" Gift Cards are also available which detail the area of rainforest you have saved on the recipient's behalf. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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