Copalinga Reserve, Ecuador

Copalinga is situated at the intersection of the Andes and the Amazon, between the town of Zamora and Podocarpus National Park, at 950–1,600m elevation.

The lower and mid-elevation east Andean slope forest is a region particularly subject to deforestation pressure from human activities.

This small 137 hectare reserve maintains a high level of biodiversity. 269 bird species have been recorded in and around the reserve, including 9 threatened species: the Gray Tinamou, White-necked Parakeet, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, and Ecuadorian Piedtail. Key mammals include the Jaguarundi and the South American Coati. In addition, two species of frogs and 14 species of plants are threatened with extinction.

Copalinga is managed by Fundación Jocotoco, Ecuador's largest private non-profit conservation organisation, employing over 150 people. The foundation manages 18 reserves across the country and has saved multiple species from the brink of extinction.