Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Spectacled Bears
A bear in the tropics? There is only one species of bear
found in all of South America, and it lives in the higher-
elevation cloud forests of Ecuador. The one-of-a-kind spec-
tacled bear resides in isolated communities of moist, high-
elevation forest. Vegetarian by nature, it feeds primarily on leaves
and fruit. It has excellent eyesight and its name derives from the
unique “mask” around its face. Endangered due to habitat loss, the
spectacled bear today lives under protected status, primarily in pri-
vate reserves.
Llamas
Perhaps the most easily identifiable mammals of the high
country are the Andean cameloids , including llamas and
alpacas. Although not as abundant as in neighboring
countries to the south, domesticated llamas reside in the
country's north-Central Highlands. Since the introduction of sheep,
wool in Ecuador - including that used in most of the sweaters pro-
duced for the Otavalo market - has come from sheep instead of lla-
mas. The effect of sheep on the land, however, has been devastating.
As a result, efforts are underway to reintroduce the llama to the Si-
erras.
River Creatures - Dolphins & Manatees
A trip to the Cuyabeno Reserve (see page 41) would not be
complete without catching a glimpse of the Amazon's
freshwater dolphins. Of the region's two species, the more
common pink dolphin appears with a pale, discolored skin
in the waters of the deep jungle. They are often friendly enough to
play near floating canoes and larger boats. The much slower Amazo-
nian manatee can also be found in this region as it floats along the
surface and grazes at the water's edge.
Birds
For the avid birder, Ecuador provides an endless array of
colorful and musical delights. If you're not a birder, watch
out! A fewhours spent with a good naturalist or bird guide,
or even quietly on your own, will quickly make you a con-
vert. With more than 1,550 species, or 18% of the world's total, Ecua-
dor has more bird species per square mile than any other country in
Latin America. Some 15% of the world's endemic species exist in the
Sierra, on the coast, and in the Amazon.
 
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