MontPhoto biennial grant

PROJECT TITLE

Reptiles y anfibios del Chocó: SOS en el paraíso

AUTOR/S

Jaime Culebras

I studied Biology and a master's degree in Environmental Education at the University of Extremadura. After that I took another master's degree in Biodiversity and Conservation of Tropical Areas in Ecuador. Since then I work in this country as a researcher, describing new species, and as a photographer.

I am passionate about everything that has to do with the world of nature, especially tropical regions as they are the most affected by human activity. Perhaps my concern for these areas close to the equator is the reason why I took part in the Quetzal route in 2002, an unforgettable trip that I was lucky enough to experience.

I have an inherent need to travel with my camera, trying to capture everything my eyes see through its lense, which I consider a powerful tool to fight for conservation.

My goal: To make up minds and get people a bit closer to the environment, freezing the shapes, colours and secrets of nature through images and words.

ABSTRACT

Choco is one of the most biodiverse regions of the planet. More than 350 species of amphibians, 235 species of mammals, 830 species of birds and 210 reptiles live in its unique ecosystems. Unfortunately, this "hotspot" is suffering a huge devastation due to the large crops of African palm, logging, mining and the multiple shrimp farms in the region.

Reptiles and amphibians are one of the most unknown and hated groups of vertebrates. Hundreds of myths and legends travel around the world increasing their bad reputation, and its consequence is a massacre of these animals which in the end are very important to us.

That is why my main goal with this project is to capture the most emblematic and/or threatened amphibians and reptiles from Ecuador to Panama, to turn attention to their beauty and importance to us.