WILDLIFE REFUGE RIO ZUÑAG

The Río Zuñag Reserve is located within the upper basin of the Pastaza River and is one of the conservation efforts carried out jointly by Fundación EcoMinga and the Asociación Ecológica Cuenca del Río Zuñag. Research and management in the area have made it possible for part of the reserve to be recognized as the Río Zuñag Private Protected Area, becoming part of the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) since 2023. The reserve protects the micro-basin of the Zuñag River and borders Llanganates National Park, contributing to the conservation of the area’s endemic and threatened flora and fauna. This area is entirely covered by montane forests. The territory that was not included in the SNAP designation retains the name Río Zuñag Reserve and continues to expand.Zuñag’s flora contains many of the species found in Llanganates National Park. This reserve harbors at least 36 endemic plant species, of which 31 are orchids. Among the priority and locally endemic plant species are Lepanthes absens, Monopyle paniculata (CR), and Colura irrorata (CR). The latter species was rediscovered in the lower Zuñag River area after approximately 150 years since its last sighting in the region, by scientist Richard Spruce. This plant is found exclusively along the banks of the Topo and Zuñag rivers and is classified as Critically Endangered at the global level due to its restricted distribution. Other locally endemic plants include: Brachionidium zunagensis, Dracula fuligifera, Lepanthes abitaguae, Lepanthes camptica, Lepanthes flaccida, Lepanthes marshana, Lepanthes sprucean, Lepanthes zunagensis, Pleurothallis sobrina, Stelis preclara, Stelis zunagensis, and Teagueia zeus. Regarding fauna, 132 bird species, 57 herpetofauna species (37 amphibians and 20 reptiles), and 23 mammal species have been recorded. Río Zuñag protects numerous globally threatened and endemic species, including large mammals such as the Mountain Tapir (Tapirus pinchaque, EN), White-lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari, VU), Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus, VU), and Jaguar (Panthera onca, NT), as well as smaller mammals like the Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis, NT) and the Red Brocket Deer (Mazama rufina, VU). Among bird species, the Andean Eagle (Spizaetus isidori, EN) and the Giant Antpitta (Grallaria gigantea, VU) stand out. The reserve is also home to numerous globally threatened and endemic amphibian species, with some of the most representative being Andersson’s Stubfoot Toad (Atelopus palmatus, CR), Zuñag Rain Frog (Pristimantis ardyiae, VU), Tapir Rain Frog (P. pinchaque, VU), Sacharuna Rain Frog (P. sacharuna), and Ruddy Rain Frog (P. rubicundus, NT). Recently discovered species in the area include P. bellaae (EN), P. sacharuna (VU), Malli Rain Frog (P. mallii, CR), and Simpson’s Osornotoad (Osornophryne simpsoni, EN). Among threatened reptile species found here is Riama anatoloros (VU).