Project Tambopata - 1997-1998
The full report can be downloaded here where we present the findings of "Project Tambopata", a tourism impact study undertaken from January 1997 to November 1998 at five lodges associated with the Tambopata Candamo Reserve Zone. These were: Cusco Amazónico Pueblo Hotel (CAPH), Explorers' Inn (EI), EcoAmazonía Lodge (ECO), Sachavacayoc Centre (and Sachavaca Inn) (SACHA) and the Tambopata Research Center (TRC).
We investigated four faunal groups: mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. Many species within these groups are frequently considered important natural tourist attractions in their own right and so the information herein is of direct interest to lodge administrators and tour companies servicing the area.
The project was co-ordinated by the Research and Monitoring Studies Unit (RAMOS)
of the Tambopata Reserve Society (TReeS). TReeS is an Non-governmental
Organisation and UK Charity (No. 298054) that has been active in Tambopata since
1986 (see Appendix 3 for correspondence details).
1997 - Project beginnings...
Fauna Forever Tambopata (FFT) is a long-term wildlife and ecotourism monitoring project based in and around the Tambopata National Reserve and Bahuaja Sonene National Park in the Amazon rainforest of south-eastern Peru. The Tambopata region encompassed by these two protected areas, and their respective buffer zones, lies on the eastern edge of the Tropical Andes biodiversity hotspot, arguably the most biodiverse region on Earth and known for its wilderness qualities.
In 2004...
The History of Fauna Forever Tambopata
Fauna Forever Tambopata (FFT) has been undertaking rigorous monitoring of biodiversity (species richness and population abundance) for multiple taxa at multiple locations in Tambopata since 1997. The original research concept and project (which took place over two years from 1997-1998) was designed and led by Chris Kirkby, with the collaboration and assistance of professional colleagues from the UK, USA and Peru. Subsequent monitoring episodes at the same set of locations, as well as new locations, were undertaken in 2004 and 2005.
The underlying aims of the project from 1997-2005 have been:
(i) To gather information on the population status of large- and medium-sized mammals (terrestrial and arboreal), forest under-storey birds, amphibians and reptiles, at sites which show variation in the intensity of use by ecotourists;
(ii) To identify ecotourism impacts on wildlife where present and to make ecotourism operators and protected area managers aware of these impacts so that they can take the necessary decisions for mitigation;
(iii) To train young biologists from Peru and the international community in the techniques and protocols for monitoring rainforest wildlife; and
(iv) To disseminate results as widely as possible so as to contribute to the general discussions of the economic value of biodiversity, the costs and benefits of conservation and deforestation, and the status of wildlife populations in the Amazon basin.
10 March 2009