Alto Coca Reserve
Alto Coca News
August 2024
Solar System Installed at Bajos de Alto Coca
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A portable solar suitcase and solar panel donated by the Lawrenceville School, NJ were installed at Bajos de Alto Coca to assist the park guards with light, and charging headlamps and cell phones.
July 2024
Trail Cameras Document High Diversity of Large Mammals at Reserva Alto Coca
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Trail cameras reinstalled in April 2024 were removed for maintenance in June, and the photos were checked at the FAC offices in Quito. The following mammals were documented during these 2 months: Puma, Margay, Jaguarundi, Coati (band of about 12 individuals and kittens), White-lipped mountain tapir (mother with twin juveniles), Andean spectacled bear, Giant anteater, Agouti, Squirrel, Opposum, and Tayra.
July 2024
Fundacion Alto Coca and the Lawrenceville School (New Jersey) Providing Solar Power to
Usama Family (RAC Caretakers)
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The Lawrenceville School donated a solar energy kit assembled by students of the Lawrenceville School to RAC. The caretaker house at Bajos de Alto Coca lost power when one of the
transmission poles collapsed into the Rio Coca during the heavy rains in June 2024. Mark Thurber and Peter Ayarza will be helping the Usama family install the kit at their Bajos de Alto Coca home in July. They can charge their cell phones and headlamps and use small appliances, essential tools for managing the reserve.
June 2024
The Board of Directors of the Andean Cloudforest Foundation Visits RAC
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The Andean Cloudforest Foundation visited RAC to observe current conservation efforts, enjoy the wildlife and eruptions of Reventador, and discuss collaboration with the Fundación Alto Coca on current land purchases to expand the reserve. A recently purchased property in the headwaters of a pristine stream basin was investigated, and an adjacent property is currently in negotiation. Both properties are about 40 ha. White-lipped mountain tapir tracks, a white-faced capuchin monkey, and an Andean-spectacled bear were documented during the visit. The BOD decided to support new acquisitions in these areas as funds become available. Clear weather facilitated excellent views of Reventador erupting frequently.
June 2024
Broadreach Group Visits RAC
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A group of students and instructors visited RAC. Day and night walks were conducted, bird netting and other field methods were taught by an Ecuadorian tropical biologist, lectures on geology and tropical biology, exploration of limestone caves.
June 2024
Common Ground International Group Visits RAC
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A group of high school students studying Spanish in Cuenca finished their trip to Ecuador with an experience at RAC. Tropical biology and geology were taught in Spanish, cooking in Spanish over an open fire with the Usamas, exploration of the reserve with a tropical biologist.
June 2024
Bridge at San Carlos Collapses, New Access Trail to RAC Constructed
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The suspension bridge at San Carlos began collapsing in May, and finally, the north end of the bridge tumbled into the river in June 2024. This severed the normal access to RAC. The caretaking family was contracted to open a new trail from the Coca Coda Sinclair dam, which is more difficult and adds about 2 hours to the hike to Alto Coca. This makes visits a bit more challenging but also discourages the expansion of cattle farming onto forested land we do not own. This new trail has been used by several groups and provides a new experience along the Rio Coca.
March 2024
Fundacion Alto Coca in Final Stages of Approval at Ministerio de Ambiente, Agua y Transicion Ecologica
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The founders of the Alto Coca Reserve are establishing the Fundación Alto Coca to facilitate the management of the Reserva Alto Coca and cooperate with international foundations, such as the Andean Cloudforest Foundation, to support research, education, and acquisition of additional critical habitat.
January 2024
Common Ground International Schedules Language Program at Reserva Alto Coca
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Common Ground International will be visiting Alto Coca in June 2024, an extension of their language program in Cuenca. Students will learn about the Cloudforest and practice Spanish.
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https://commongroundinternational.com/
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October 2023
Broadreach Schedules Biodiversity Program at Reserva Alto Coca
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Broadreach will be visiting Alto Coca in June 2024 as part of their Amazon Galapagos Eco Adventure in Ecuador
https://www.gobroadreach.com/programs/high-school-wildlife-biology-study-abroad/.
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September 2023
Additional Cloudforest Purchase in Negotiation
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A 50-hectare plot has been identified for expansion of the reserve. Those interested in supporting this effort can contact the Andean Cloudforest Foundation in the US, a 501c3 registered charity, at andeancloudforest@gmail.com
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July 2023
Andean Tapirs - Mother and Juvenile Photographed
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A pair of Andean Tapirs (mother and offspring) photographed on the Waterfall Trail. This record indicates that the Reserva Alto Coca provides a habitat for reproducing this endangered species, estimated that only 2500 individuals remain in the wild.
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June 2023
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Broadreach Students Visit Alto Coca
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Students from Broadreach spent 4 days learning about the Cloudforest ecosystem at Alto Coca and observed numerous eruptions of El Volcan Reventador.
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February 2020
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Cascada San Rafael Collapses and the Rio Coca Erodes Canyon
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The rio Coca eroded under an ancient lava flow, created an arch, and within months eroded a new canyon, as the channel adjusted to a new base level.