Sacha Huagra, Mountain Tapir Conservation in the Colombian Massif. Sacha Huagra aims to develop a conservation strategy applicable to various Andean regions, focusing on community welfare and long-term conservation through its pilot project, "Mountain Tapir Conservation in the Colombian Massif."

1st Quarter Update

Group of eight people standing in a lush, green forest, some wearing rain boots. Two signs depict illustrations of the Andean bear with its scientific name, indicating a bear habitat.

Notes from the field, June 2025

In the southern Andes of Colombia, our team at the Sacha Huagra Foundation is working with local communities to protect one of South America’s most endangered mammals: the Mountain Tapir (Tapirus pinchaque). Through our project “Strengthening participatory mountain tapir conservation in a community-managed area in the southern Andes of Colombia,” supported by the IUCN Save Our Species and Fondation Segré, we are building a model where science, conservation, and community development go hand in hand.

A group photo with our newly formed partner: Grupo Ecológico Puraguá

What We’ve Achieved So Far

Since launching in 2024, we’ve focused on laying a strong foundation—ecologically, institutionally, and socially. Here's what we've accomplished in our first phase:

Training and Monitoring

We organized five community workshops on species monitoring and conservation, training local residents in camera trapping, GPS use, and biodiversity data collection.
With the support of the IUCN grant, we purchased 20 camera traps, which are now being set up in a new participatory monitoring initiative. A local master’s student is co-developing a study to explore occupancy and density patterns of both Mountain Tapirs and Andean Bears.
These activities are improving both our ecological understanding and local capacity, setting the stage for long-term, locally managed monitoring systems.

Illustration of two people in a forest, one scanning a tree with a device, the other taking notes, with a house and a bear in the background, emphasizing camera trapping benefits for ecological understanding, habitat protection, and direct income for partners.

A mountain tapir near the salt lick of Balseros. A video taken part of the monitoring workshop

Illustration of community conservation efforts showing three small cabins, a topographical map of a village, and two people discussing architectural plans using a large drawing of a house, with mountains and trees in the background.

Connectivity and Communication

Recognizing that a lack of communication infrastructure is a barrier for both conservation and community wellbeing, we installed a satellite internet system in the village. This not only enables smoother coordination with external partners but also allows locals to stay informed and connected.

Community Infrastructure for Conservation

Together with our local partners organization we secured three sites with existing cabins that will be restored into small research and ecotourism stations.
We completed a topographical survey of the village to plan for a future Salón Comunal—a multipurpose building that will serve as both a visitor center and a community space for workshops, training, and cultural events.
We are now collaborating with a Colombian architect who specializes in natural materials, to co-design this space in a participatory way with the community.

Workshops on Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality

Sergio Sandoval (first left), together with local coordinator Hector Males from Huellas del Macizo (second right), training the community of Castellana on monitoring and later on hospitality workshops

A group of nine people sitting in a semi-circle in a rustic room with green walls, some wearing traditional and casual clothing, engaged in a discussion.

Flyer for workshop titled 'Taller 2: Cómo adaptar mi casa a un alojamiento rural', featuring a photo of a rustic house with a garden, scheduled for July 12, 2025, at 8:00 am, at Casa Pensamientos in Vereda Purutal, San Agustín. Includes transportation details, lunch information, and logos at the bottom.

Illustration of a workshop on sustainable tourism and hospitality, featuring a presenter and an audience discussing ecological B&B practices, sustainable cooking, and guest services.

Flyer for a workshop titled 'Attention to Guests and Tourist Experiences' scheduled for July 19, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. at Vereda La Castellana, San Agustín. The flyer features a photo of two people exchanging coffee outdoors, with a green background decorated with botanical line drawings and bold white text reading 'Bienvenido' multiple times.

Illustration of a conservation scene with hikers and wildlife, mountains, trees, sun, and bird, representing Sacha Huagra Foundation's community-led conservation efforts.