Community Fund – Fundación Fauna de la Amazonía – January Update
Rain! More rain, and, well, sometimes less……..!
The seasonal weather has caused yet more damage to the road from Mera, and also to the entry road to the Fundación’s land through Laurence’s land. Laurence herself was unable to leave by car for four days due to the main road being closed as the ‘bridge’ at the foot of Sumak Kawsay in Situ had been washed away, yet again! Sadly, although perhaps realistically for future access to the planned Animal Rescue Centre, it is believed that the local Municipal Council of Mera has agreed, in principal, to asphalt the road as far as the river close to where the Shuar community of Agua Claro (Clear Water) are located. That is past the entry to the Fundación’s land.
The upside to the road damage and the trees that have fallen down onto it due to the weather is that there have been lots of bromeliads, orchids and other plant species to collect, and to replace/replant on the land!
All the construction work on the quarantine-clinic is now complete thanks to Miguel and Abilene, the two excellent builders who made such an effort on the building. Estimates are now being obtained for the windows and doors, and also, it is hoped, to have enough resources to tile at least part of the interior. There is now an excellent water supply to the building and there is even a water filter fitted!
Last weekend, a yellow-footed tortoise was handed in to the Fundación to be ‘rescued’ and eventually liberated. The next day it was delivered to Merazonia (www.merazonia.org ) for a veterinarian ‘check-over’ by Louisa and a period of quarantine before it will be released in appropriate habitat near Amazoonico Animal Rescue Centre near Tena.
On, and near, the land this month have been seen……….. a nine-banded armadillo which allowed itself to followed around the area for some time; a guatusa – which is a large rodent – about the size of a small dog; pavas – the local equivalent of turkeys; cock of the rock – both male and female; toucans; a speckled forest pit viper (very venomous!) and a very large freshwater crab (at least 20cm across) amongst many other plant and animal species.
Miriam and some friends have been fundraising for the Fundación in Switzerland and so far have raised a fantastic $1053.038 (at current exchange rates!). Amazing! Thanks so much for your wonderful efforts (selling custom-designed jungle underwear)!
The Flor de la Amazonia Group in the UK recently held their Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh. Many, many thanks to all who attended, to all those who are actively involved in supporting the Group there, and there are now eleven collection cans located around Edinburgh, and some elsewhere. Special mention to Melanie for her efforts on this!
Thanks also due to Craig for permission to use some of his photographs this month.
We are also delighted to have been contacted by Silvia Campaña, an Ecuadorian poet and author living in Italy. She has offered to donate part of the proceeds from her latest publication to the Fundación. Thanks so much Silvia! (http://www.silviacampana.com/ )
Some of the banana plants (for future human consumption) planted between the quarantine-clinic and the area that will eventually be the base for accommodation and the small shower/toilet block have already started sprouting – only a week after being planted! Impressed! The pineapples and other food plants are also doing well. Tall growing plants cannot be allowed near the buildings as there implications for future safety, and so bananas and such are ideal.
Some links to articles of interest:
http://www.crickcentre.org/blog/going-batty-blame-animals-political-failures/ (written by our very own Lucy)
http://news.mongabay.com/2015/0115-waorani-vs-petrobell.html?n3ws1ttr
http://news.mongabay.com/2015/0120-gfrn-cannon-company-clears-forest-for-chocolate.html?n3ws1ttr
Finally, not exactly live animal rescue…………however, in searching for roadside plants to rescue recently amongst rubble on the damaged roadside, a number of fossil deposits have been spotted in rocks there. Mainly shells……interesting!