Wild For Life

In Cool Earth’s rainforest partnerships, things are stirring in the undergrowth…

Our partner villages in Peru and Papua New Guinea have begun a project to monitor the wildlife in their forest. It will create a picture of the health of the forest, and how thanks to you, more wildlife means more trees soaking up carbon.

Just in time for World Environment Day on 5th June, Jaime Peña, Cool Earth’s Biodiversity Officer in Peru, has sent over the first images from the camera traps they’re using to monitor the forest.

The four-strong biodiversity team of Jaime Peña, Andy Peña Alvi, David Velasquez Sagastizabal, and Milton Masharima Fuentes have 12 cameras spread out across the forest surrounding Cutivireni. Four cameras have a special mission – to capture footage of the Spectacled Bears, which live in the highland areas of the community. These beautiful bears, the inspiration for Paddington Bear, are endangered because their rainforest habitat is disappearing.

Going on a bear hunt…

Jaime and Andy stayed in a remote village of just five families to look for signs of the bear. A guide from the village helped them navigate the dense mountain forest.

With the help of the local guide, Jaime and Andy found evidence of bear footprints on the forest floor. They also discovered a palm plant that had been chewed by a bear. In the area there’s an abundance of palm fruits, which are a typical bear food, and the biodiversity team also found eggs on the forest floor – a special treat for the bear. It’s the perfect habitat and Jaime is confident that we’ll have images of the bears soon.

Jaime has also sent results from the other camera traps. One camera, placed near a stream in a remote area of forest near the village of Alto Cobeja has produced over 100 snaps of wildlife.

Roll over to find out more about the species caught on camera…