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From August 26 to September 6, a team of primatologists from Proyecto Mono Tocón (PMT) carried out an expedition in the heart of the reserve, despite the difficulties caused by strikes in the Amazon, fuel shortages, and rapidly changing weather conditions.

One of the expedition’s objectives was to reach the source of the Romayne River, in the center of the reserve, an area of exceptional biodiversity. However, after two days of navigation, the team had to turn back: a severe drought had drastically reduced the river’s water level, making further progress almost impossible. Although the river channel had been cleared a few days earlier, the boats could barely move forward through the logs and branches, requiring considerable effort from the entire team.

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The expedition then continued in the Yanayacu sector, in search of the leoncito (Cebuella niveiventris), one of the smallest primates in the Amazon and classified as Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN. Thanks to the excellent knowledge of the area gained by the forest rangers, who had been monitoring this species for several months, the primatologists were able to observe three leoncitos in a single tree.

In Maquia, the team continued its search for the black uakari (Pithecia sp.), also classified as Vulnerable (VU). Other primates were observed as well, including the white monkey and the musmuqui, along with other wildlife species.

We now look forward to receiving the scientific report from the expedition and the remarkable images captured by the Proyecto Mono Tocón team.

Once again, this expedition demonstrates the importance of local knowledge and the daily work of forest rangers for scientific research and the conservation of Amazonian biodiversity.

Bees are true guardians of biodiversity. Their role as pollinators is fundamental to the maintenance of ecosystems and is a key element for human food security.

Aware of their importance, a team made up of researchers from Amazon Research International and forest custodians from the Yanayacu-Maquía Conservation Concession (CCYM) entered the area to carry out a first baseline study on native stingless bees.

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This initiative represents a first step towards understanding, valuing and disseminating the extraordinary richness of this group of animals and comprehending the important ecosystem benefits they provide to the maintenance of the forests that extend along the Yanayacu River.

Initial results confirm the high biodiversity present in the CCYM. A total of 27 nests were georeferenced, of which 73% have not yet been specifically identified. These nests were found in 19 different species of trees and palms, some of which are under intense pressure due to illegal logging.

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Over the years, the CCYM has attracted the interest of various organizations and researchers whose goal is to explore, understand, and contribute to the conservation of its extraordinary biodiversity. This time, the focus was on native stingless bees: a group of animals to which we owe far more than we imagine, and whose importance remains largely unknown to the general public.

Protecting bees is protecting forests, biodiversity, and ultimately, our own existence. Because we often forget that our lives also depend on them.

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A troop of red uakaris (Cacajao calvus), an endangered species, moving freely from branch to branch through the forests of the Yanayacu-Maquía Conservation Concession.

Their presence is proof that when a forest is truly protected, life thrives.

Protecting this biodiversity requires constant vigilance, unwavering commitment, and tremendous human and financial efforts. But moments like this remind us that every effort is worthwhile.

The native birds are the essential pollinisatrices of the Amazonian forest and local cultures, but the diversity and distribution are not fully understood.

As part of a collaboration with Amazon Research International (ARI), the Yanayacu-Maquía Conservation Concession (CCYM) will participate in the first native bee mapping program in Peru, which combines indigenous knowledge with scientific research.

In July, an ARI team will study 40 stingless bee nests already located by CCYM forest rangers, who will also receive training in scientific monitoring protocols.

Lotty Morey with the French Ambassador to Peru and the Peruvian Minister of the Environment

On 4 June, Lotty Morey, President of Amazon Biodiversity, spoke at a conference on France’s contribution to protecting the Amazon. Alongside the French Ambassador to Peru and the Peruvian Minister of the Environment, the President of the association recalled the association’s missions and their importance in protecting the Amazon and supporting local communities.

She was able to highlight the three main areas of work of Amazon Biodiversity: conservation, scientific research and development of economic alternatives. This intervention should allow the association to be identified by major actors in the environmental protection sector, and to develop new projects and partnerships!

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Successful outreach to communities in the concession!

This month, Charlene, Lotty and Steffanny (Envol Vert’s forestry engineer) went to the Conservation Concession to carry out outreach workshops with the different communities in the area. The workshops focused on the status and importance of the Yanayacu Maquia Conservation Concession and the services it provides to the environment and biodiversity.

Despite uneven participation rates in different communities, the workshops were generally successful. People seemed interested and involved in the project. Children and women in particular made themselves available for these collective sessions.

In addition, we were able to present the upcoming agroforestry and crop diversification projects that Biodiversité Amazonienne and Envol Vert intend to implement. The projects seemed to be well received, and the inhabitants motivated to participate in the training and awareness-raising activities.

While Lotty and Charlene had to leave the concession after a few days, Steffanny will remain on site to continue the socio-economic and agricultural diagnosis of the area, while carrying out awareness-raising activities.

Accident in the Ampicocha Lagoon

This month we publish an anecdote from the logbook of Lotty Morey, president of the Amazon Biodiversity Association. Because not everything is rosy, we also wanted to share with you some of the difficulties faced by members of the field team. Today, we tell you the story of Ivan, the concession’s main ranger, who faced complications due to bad weather.

Ivan, accompanied by 2 assistants, went to the Romayna Creek to evict hunters and loggers in search of commercial trees that no longer exist outside the concession. There was a big storm, the water in the lake got rough and the boat flipped over with the engine and all the equipment in it. They were then rescued by 3 people from the Florida community located on the shores of the lake. After several dozen minutes, they were able to turn the boat around. They recovered the engine full of water.

Ivan dived several times to try to retrieve his backpack containing his mobile phone, bills, maps and other important items. He was trapped in a space on the boat, which fortunately remained dry.

However, he was unable to retrieve the bag containing important equipment: pliers, keys, spark plugs and other equipment that must be carried on every long journey. The staff escaped with a few bruises, fortunately not serious. However, the engine was unusable. It was repaired a few days later, allowing Ivan to continue to deter poachers from the concession.

At the beginning of this year, the park warden teams are reinforcing their vigilance tools and setting up floating barriers at the entrances to the reserve, the most coveted of which is undoubtedly located in the Romayna sector.

The Romayna is a breeding ground for arahuana paiche, an endemic fish whose size and price attract many fishermen to this isolated and particularly well-preserved area. The fish grow happily and the paiche sometimes reach more than 1.5m. In this area there are still trees, often centuries old, of species that unfortunately no longer exist outside the reserve. The shihuahuaco and the mahogany are the first victims of this intensive and uncontrolled pruning.

This year the pressure on the area is greater than ever, the country’s economic situation is weakened by the ongoing health crisis and many people in the region are looking for ways to make a living. To date, several park guard expeditions have already taken place to dislodge the offenders, all with success.