In the slopes of Apa apa

Squirrels of the genus Sciurus are abundant in Apa apa, and in nearby areas, adapting themselves well even to secondary forests conditions. Here we found one, jumping on the trees surrounding the hotel Apa apa.

Right in the middle of one of the most degraded areas of Los Yungas, Chulumani Valley, you can find an astonishing conservation area known as the Forest of Apa apa. In itself, this little reserve is a rare case of coexistence of private and community lands, which have resulted in a striking conservation experience unique in the country.

From Google Earth you can clearly see the protected areas contrasting with the surrounding crops.

Eubucco versicolor, is probably the prettiest bird in this area, and is particularly abundant in the forest of Apa apa. Still not easy to see as it spends its days looking for insects into the bushes.

The number of known bird species around Apa apa, now exceeds 200, and probably it will exceed 300 with future research. To get a better idea, the bird species of all the Iberian Peninsula are 346! In the picture a Hirundinea ferruginea, that lives in the open fields surrounding the forest. © Joyce Romao

Created on a private estate, Apa apa reserve provides protection to one slope of upper Yungas forest (1800-2500 meters), represents the most accessible primary mountain forest from the city of La Paz, and keeps a conservation model that involves all neighboring communities, benefiting them with permanent water for their crops.

An Owl butterfly, Caligo sp. Easy to see in the trails of the lower part of the jungle, just before sunset.

One of many species of moths wich are attracted by the light of the villages near the forest. Especially at night, you can note the difference between Apa apa and more degraded nearby areas, especially in the amount and variety of insects.

You can access to the Apa apa, from the road to Chulumani. At the skirts of the slope, there is a small hotel of the original owners of the reserve (Highly recommended by the way), and from here you walk up the slope on a journey that lasts few hours. Here, I must confess that I could not reach the heart of the forest, but in the hotel you can see some animals and plants that have almost disappeared in the rest of the valley.

This magnificent rhinoceros beetle, Heterogomphus hirtus has been hunted to disappear from many of its original distribution sites, only to be sold to private collectors, one of the most stupid reasons for the extinction of dozens of species of the Yungas, I think. Currently, in an effort to save him, along with other extremely rare beetles as Dynastes satanas, there is a specialized breed center in the Cotapata National Park.

This species of moss katydid, Dysonia bridarolli, was described in 1960 from specimens found in Chulumani, and little else is known about it. In the Reserve it seems to be abundant, yet for obvious reasons, it is difficult to see unless they approach the lights at night.

So these pictures are just a sample. I hope we can soon return to this forest with enough time to document it better. For now, thanks to the Portugal and the people of Apa apa, for this wonderful gift. You can read more about Apa apa, here and here.

This is what Apa apa protects. Clean water down the slopes all year round. In most of Chulumani Valley, this is just a memory.

I hope you liked it. As always, I’ll thank you to divulge this information, so more people know about it. Thanks!