Paramo Protection Project | Andean Tapir Fund

PROPOSAL FOR CULMINATION OF MOUNTAIN TAPIR, ANDEAN FOREST AND PARAMO PROTECTION PROJECT IN NORTHERN PERU
(matching funds solicitation from Andean Tapir Fund, a tax-deductible, 501 (c) 3 organization)
Date: March 8 th, 2005
Prepared with input from Alejandro Zegarra-Pezo of Pro-Norte-Peru
by Craig C. Downer President Andean Tapir FundP.O. Box 456MindenNV 89423-0456email: ccdowner@aol.comWebsite: www.andeantapirfund.com

Introduction
Since 1988, several expeditions have been made to the Cordillera de las Lagunillas in northern Peru by wildlife ecologist Craig C. Downer and/or wildlife conservationist Alejandro Zegarra-Pezo to locate the endangered mountain tapir and to assess threats both to this species and its Andean Forest and Paramo habitat. Most alarming have been the threats of mining claims to the remaining forests and paramos, combined with expanding agrarian activity (Lizcano, D.J, & A. Sissa. 2003, June. Tapir Conservation, IUCN SSC TSG, 12:1; Environmental News Service. 2005, Feb 23. Conservationists Risk Their Lives for Peru’s Highland Headwaters).

Additional public talks, radio addresses, articles, and consultations with authorities and community groups on the part of Zegarra and to a lesser extent Downer have helped spur more ecological awareness and resistance to the takeover of remnant Andean forests and paramos by mining companies. These plan for destructive open-pit and heap leach extraction of low grade ore. In fact, two municipalities within the department of Piura: Ayabaca and Huancabamba have declared themselves as Nature Reserves and mining as illegal in their territories.

None-the-less, the mining companies have managed to sway national leaders to support their projects with promises of jobs and money for a relative while. However, the decisions are still not final, as Environmental Assessments are being prepared and weighed by authorities. – And the latter provides us with an excellent window of opportunity to influence these. We must now focus the light of public attention to the end of establishing a mountain tapir nature sanctuary that will include remaining intact forests and paramos in this region. This will also help to save many other rare and endangered species, such as the white-winged guan, spectacled bear and native plants of endemic character that are very significant in this North Andean-Central Andean transitional, or ecotonal, zone. But funding is now imperative to accomplish this crucial goal.

Proposed Plan of Action
The main objective of the present project would be to achieve the national declaration of the “Cerro Negro Mountain Tapir Ecological Sanctuary”. Based on previous expeditions and assessments, this would contain an area of between 20,000 and 40,000 hectares. In order to accomplish this objective, another, more thorough, GPS-assisted field expedition would be conducted so as to complete the already commenced identification and mapping of remnant Andean forests and paramos with particular notation of where the mountain tapirs still survive. A descriptive inventory of other complementary species of plants and animals, including especially rare and endangered ones, would also be compiled.

Also, important archeological ruins would be located and documented, including a possible temple dedicated to the mountain tapir (A. Zegarra-Pezo, pers. comm.). Careful emphasis would be given to identifying important water sources in the form of natural habitat and to explaining to the public and authorities how these are vital to future regional ecological well-being, including humans.

● After this expedition, a professional proposal would be prepared for justifying the Cerro Negro preserve. A professional surveyor would assist in the preparation of a map of the proposed reserve using GPS data. Also, taxonomic specialists would be consulted in order to correctly identify unknown species of plants and animals documented during the expedition. Finally, a convincing presentation, justifying the reserve’s creation and including color photos, would be made to public audiences and regional and national authorities and finally before the Peruvian Congress in Lima – all this in order to attain the legal declaration of the preserve. This would automatically cancel the mining concessions in this important natural region.

● Subsequently, a management plan would be established for the new reserve through a joint collaboration between federal and departmental government natural resource agencies, municipalities, and conservation organizations, including Alejandro Zegarra-Pezo’s NGO Pro-Norte-Peru and Craig C. Downer’s NGO the Andean Tapir Fund.

● During this project, a follow-up on an earlier crackdown on illegal commerce in mountain tapirs would also be undertaken. Much evidence has been gathered in this legal case, and this follow-up could bolster efforts to achieve the final mountain tapir nature reserve.

● Finally, a further program of public education involving talks to local campesinos living in areas adjacent to the mountain tapirs and their forest and paramo habitat, coupled with an effort to organize these people to become active defenders of the preserve, would be conducted. This effort would encourage the exercise of these Peruvians’ own democratic rights as citizens.

Ordered Activities with Durations and Budget
Establishment of mountain tapir reserve
Field expedition and community consultation and presentations
Duration and sequence: first 2 months

Activities
Meetings with mayors and natural resource authorities of the provinces of Ayabaca and Huancabamba, both within Piura Department, in order to solidify support for preserve creation. Meeting with small town authorities living near mountain tapirs and/or their intact forest and paramo habitat. This would particularly include Yanta in Ayabaca and Segunda in Huancabamba, among others. In these two communities, the Majaz mining company (a front for Monterrico Metals of U.K.) is pushing its extensive open-pit mining project (Proyecto Rio Blanco). Immediate follow-through in this regard is required to prevent the destruction of some of the mountain tapirs’ most important remaining habitats. This would last 1 week.

To follow the meetings is a GPS-assisted expedition of one month. In this, mountain tapir presence and intact forest and paramo habitat would be pinpointed on maps and using GPS; and community consultations and presentations would be made. The following itinerary is planned: Sullana-Tambogrande-Las Lomas-Suyo-Paimas-Ayabaca-Pacaipampa-Suyupampa-Mangas-Olleros-Hualcuy-Singoya-Yanta-Culcapampa-Tapal-Ayabaca-Sullana-Chulucanas-Santo Domingo-Yamango-Huancabamba-Canchaque-Carmen de la Frontera-Huarmaca-Sondor-Sullana. Other areas may also be visited if gathered evidence indicates these would be important.

Preparation of report and proposal to create reserve
This could take place during the three weeks immediately following the expedition to the reserve area and surrounding communities. Place: Sullana where A. Zegarra and assistant reside and have access to internet and computers as well as public libraries, academic centers, and government natural resource agencies.

Establishment of mountain tapir reserve
Field expedition and community consultation and presentations
Duration and sequence: first 2 months

Activities:
Meetings with mayors and natural resource authorities of the provinces of Ayabaca and Huancabamba, both within Piura Department, in order to solidify support for preserve creation. Meeting with small town authorities living near mountain tapirs and/or their intact forest and paramo habitat. This would particularly include Yanta in Ayabaca and Segunda in Huancabamba, among others. In these two communities, the Majaz mining company (a front for Monterrico Metals of U.K.) is pushing its extensive open-pit mining project (Proyecto Rio Blanco). Immediate follow-through in this regard is required to prevent the destruction of some of the mountain tapirs’ most important remaining habitats. This would last 1 week.

1. Preparation of report and proposal to create reserve .
This could take place during the three weeks immediately following the expedition to the reserve area and surrounding communities. Place: Sullana where A. Zegarra and assistant reside and have access to internet and computers as well as public libraries, academic centers, and government natural resource agencies.

Budget
Field component and initial consultation with authorities
Duration and sequence: 1 week for consultation, followed by 1 months for expedition
Transportation: 4WD vehicle rental 1 month x $500= $500
Gasoline for vehicle 1 month x $300= $300
Chauffeur salary 1 month x $500= $500
Subtotal= $1,300

Hire of 2 mules $10/day x 30 days = $600
Hire of 2 local guides-assistants $10/day x 30 days = $600
Lodging for 3 persons $10/day x 60 days = $900
Food for 3 persons $5/day x 60 days = $900
Arms and ammunition for personal safety, 2 shotguns and one revolver = $500
25 color slide rolls with development $10 x 25= $250
Subtotal= $3,750
Total $5,050

Preparation of report and proposal to create reserve:
Duration and sequence: 3 weeks (to follow field and consultation component)

Hire of lawyer to oversee proper preparation of reserve creation = $600
Professional editing of final document = $200
map production = $200
taxonomic identification fee = $200
Materials support for presentations/ handouts promoting reserve = $100
Other operating costs for proposal presentation in Lima,Piura, Ayabaca and Huancabamba = $100
Subtotal= $1,400

2. Further seizure of endangered species, alive or remains, and capture and judicial prosecution of illegal animal traffickers.
Duration: 1 month, to follow accomplishment of 1, preserve creation.
Budget :
Transportation: 4WD vehicle rental 1 month x $500 = $500
Gasoline for vehicle 1 month x $300 = $300
Chauffeur salary 1 month x $500 = $500
Food & Lodging, 1 person 30 days x $15/day= $450
Money for informants = $500
Coordination w/ & incentives: Ecological Police/Judges = $500
Legal representation = $500
Other operative costs = $300
Subtotal= $3,550

3. Public Education concerning New Preserve , with emphasis on endangered Mountain Tapirs and their Andean forest and paramo habitat. Preparation and delivery of major illustrated talks in major population centers of Sullana, Piura, Tambogrande, Ayabaca and Huancabamba.
Duration: 2 months, to follow 2. penultimate activity of project.
Budget :
Audio-visual equipment $500
Preparation of laminates and other educational props $100
Copying of educational material for public dissemination $100
Transportation $200
Food and lodging 1 person 60 days x $15/day = $900
Arrangement of talks with authorities = $100
Other costs = $100
Subtotal= $2,000

4. Media Promotion of New Preserve , including mountain tapir and its Andean forest & paramo habitat, at local, regional, national & international level, by television/radio/newspaper/ magazine & other means. Work with authorities to begin preparation of preserve management plan and schedule.
Duration: 1 month, final activity of project.
Budget :
Office supplies $300
Communication expenses $300
Fees for publication opportunities where necessary $300
Special requirements for preparing management plan $500
Food and lodging 2 persons x 30 days x $15/day = $900
Subtotal= $2,300

5. Requested Salaries for 2 project personnel , full time.
Alejandro Zegarra-Pezo, Project chief $500/month x 6 months = $3,000
Conservationist Assistant and personal bodyguard $350/month x 6 months $2,100
Subtotal= $5,100
Total Duration of Project = 6 months , to begin upon receipt of support.
Total Budget for Project:
1. Field component and reserve creation 2 months $6,450
2. Seizure and prosecution of mountain tapir traffickers $350/month x 6 months $3,550
3. Public education, illustrated talks 1 month $2,000
4. Media promotion 1 month $2,300
5. Requested salaries 2-person team $5,100
TOTAL ( minus addit’l.) $19,400

Additional Option:
for Craig C. Downer, President of Andean Tapir Fund and Wildlife Ecologist, to cover transport Nevada-Peru and overseeing the first month’s operation of the project, plus continual overseeing of project after return to U.S. $2,000
TOTAL(with additional option) $21,400