10/10/2017

'Choco's reptiles and amphibians: SOS in paradise' by Jaime Culebras MontPhoto WWF - FNYH Grant awarded project

The awarded project of MontPhoto WWF - FNYH Grant 2017  is "Choco's reptiles and amphibians: SOS in paradise" by Jaime Culebras

The project

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.