Illegal/extractive mining:
Companies seek to exploit the area. This means dynamiting the rock, contaminating the Igüila River, and destroying the entire ecosystem forever.
Save Loma Delgada
The last refuge of the Ecuadorian vizcacha
A paradise in peril — we need your urgent help
In the foothills of the Santa Rosa Range, among waterfalls, ancient caves and native forests, there is a magical place called Loma Delgada. This 35-hectare natural sanctuary in San Antonio de las Aradas, Quilanga canton, Loja, is home to the Ecuadorian vizcacha (Lagidium ahuacaense), an endemic species critically endangered with extinction.
If we don't act now, we will lose everything.
Donate now0.00Acres of sanctuary
0Meters of protected riverbank
0%Native forest preserved (%)
0Years dedicated to conservation
0.00Altitude (ft)
Discover the paradise we are protecting
The vizcacha: icon of Loma Delgada in critical danger
This small rodent, Lagidium ahuacaense, lives nowhere else on Earth. The Loma Delgada Peñón is one of its last 8 known refuges. Its population declines year after year.
Why is it so important to protect it?
- It is an indicator of Andean ecosystem health.
- It helps maintain the balance of its habitat.
- Its disappearance would be an irreparable scientific and cultural loss for Ecuador.
Protecting it means protecting our natural heritage.
Their home, and that of many other species, is in the crosshairs of mining.
Forest fires:
Intentional and accidental burnings that destroy native forest every year.
Agricultural pressure:
Unsustainable practices that degrade the soil and take space from the forest.
Loma Delgada has resisted for 15 years thanks to local efforts. But now, the threat of mining is its final battle.
Our plan: buy the land to protect it forever
Against the mining threat, there is no better defense than legal ownership. That is why, from Fundación Amazonía Productiva, we have negotiated the option to purchase Loma Delgada Farm. If we act now, we can beat mining.
What will we do with your donation?
- Acquisition: We will legally purchase the 35 hectares, securing the territory.
- Permanent protection: We will implement a conservation plan that includes:
Restoration of 60% of the degraded area with 8,000 native trees.
Monitoring with camera traps to study and protect the vizcacha and other species.
Local surveillance: We will hire a community park ranger to prevent fires.
- Sustainable management: We will open the doors to responsible ecotourism and scientific research so that Loma Delgada becomes an engine of development for Quilanga.
This is what we are going to save
Loma Delgada is not just the home of the vizcacha. It is a complete ecosystem, full of life and beauty.
A movie landscape
Nestled in the Santa Rosa mountain range, between 2,000 and 2,400 meters above sea level, this 35-hectare refuge in Quilanga, Loja, is a paradise of waterfalls and caves.
Pure water
- 800 meters bordering the Igüila River.
- Permanent waterfalls of the "Salado Negro" stream.
- Ponds and whirlpools that never dry up.
Millenary caverns
A system of explorable caves, intact for centuries, near the emblematic Peñón.
Habitat of unique species
Flora: Native cedars, centennial fig trees, orchids and more than 50 species of plants.
Fauna: The Andean Vizcacha is an emblematic species of the high-Andean ecosystems of southern Ecuador, especially in the province of Loja. Currently, its populations have declined considerably due to habitat loss, hunting, and the expansion of human activities in its natural environment.
In addition to the vizcacha, here live:
- Mammals: Deer, Andean fox, Yamala, Tumulle
- Birds: Guataguay, Purple-legged mountain pava (vulnerable), Andean eagle, Trogons and dozens of hummingbirds.
- Amphibians
Full transparency: Where does your donation go?
Every dollar counts and will be invested with the utmost responsibility. Our goal is $167,106 for the purchase and protection of the land.
"The Ecuadorian vizcacha is a national treasure that few know. Loma Delgada is one of the few places where we can still see it in the wild. Losing it would be a tragedy."
This is how your contribution will be distributed:
| Destination | Percentage | Amount | What will it be invested in? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acquisition | 40% | $66,950 | Legal purchase of the land, notarial and registration procedures. |
| Restoration | 30% | $50,695 | 8,000 native trees, nursery, camera traps and signage. |
| Management | 30% | $49,461 | Local ranger, maintenance and administrative costs (max. 8%). |
• Projections to develop the recovery of the degraded area over 5 years.
Our commitment: You will receive annual reports with photos, receipts and concrete progress.
"As a community, we know that the water we drink comes from these mountains. We support this initiative because it protects our future."
Discover the paradise we are protecting
Birds, mammals and plants that inhabit Loma Delgada.
Benefits for donors — Become a guardian of Loma Delgada
As a thank you for your generosity, all contributors will become Honorary Members of the Loma Delgada Natural Reserve.
Vizcacha protector ($10 – $99)
What you protect: 1 m² to 5 m² of critical habitat for the vizcacha.
Committed guardian ($100 – $499)
What you protect: 5 m² to 10 m² of ecosystem + one month of anti-fire patrol.
Conservation ambassador ($500 – $1,499)
What you protect: 11 to 25 m² of native forest + reforestation of 10 native trees.
Distinguished protector ($1,500 – $5,000)
What you protect: 26 to 50 m² of reserve + reforestation of 20 native trees.
Founding guardian ($5,000+)
What you protect: 51 m² or more + reforestation of 50 native trees.
CORPORATE DONORS: STRATEGIC ALLIES
Companies and organizations that contribute could receive (according to the donation):
Donors Wall
Thanks to those who are already guardians of Loma Delgada.
Frequently asked questions
- If we raise between 55-99% of the goal, we will negotiate with the owner to:
• Purchase the most critical portion of the land (the Peñón area where the vizcacha lives + the waterfalls)
• Establish legal conservation agreements that limit extractive activities on the rest
• Seek complementary funding from other sources to complete the project
If we raise less than 55%, funds will go to:
• Establishing conservation trusts with the current owner
• Financing rangers for protection
• ALL funds will go exclusively to the protection of Loma Delgada, not to other projects
Full transparency: We will inform you of any change in strategy. - We are committed to radical transparency:
✅ Public annual reports on our website with:
• Progress photographs
• Receipts and proof of expenses
• Updates on the legal purchase process
• Reports on restoration activities
✅ Exclusive semestral email updates for donors
✅ Direct access: You can write to us at any time with questions
✅ Verification visits: Donors of $1500+ can visit the land in person once acquired, free of charge; with any amount, a 50% discount applies. If you are not a donor you can do tours at a cost to raise funds specifically for conservation. - Estimated timeline:
• Stage 1: Campaign closure and completion of funds
• Stage 2: Legal purchase process and property transfer
• Stage 3: Construction of basic infrastructure (improved trails, signage, observation points)
• Stage 4: Official inauguration and opening of guided visits
First expedition for donors: Estimated 8-10 months after the successful close of the campaign.
Donors of $100+ will have priority reservation for the first expeditions. - Yes. The situation is serious:
• Listed as CRITICALLY ENDANGERED by conservation experts
• Its population decreases year after year due to habitat loss
• It only inhabits very specific localities between 1,800-2,500 m above sea level
• The Loma Delgada Peñón represents one of the few confirmed refuges with a reproductive population
• Fires and poor agricultural and extractive practices have eliminated other similar habitats in the region
If we lose Loma Delgada, we lose one of the last viable vizcacha populations in this area.
This is not exaggeration. It is scientific reality.
Links of interest:
Red List: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/48295808/48295811
News:
https://cronica.com.ec/2025/02/26/la-vizcacha-ecuatoriana-especie-unica-en-peligro-critico/ - Yes! We gladly accept international donations. You can make your donation through the following channels:
PayPal and We Travel
The published button takes you to PayPal, but contact us through our official channels to receive the corresponding We Travel payment link. Please note that both platforms charge a service fee on the donated amount.
International Bank Transfer
Bank name: BANCO PICHINCHA
Account Name: FUNDACION AMAZONIA PRODUCTIVA
Account Number: 2100207118
Account Type: CURRENT ACCOUNT (CUENTA CORRIENTE)
Currency: USD
Address: 27 de Febrero S/N y Sucre, Puyo, Pastaza
RUC: 1691712768001
Bank address: Amazonas 4560 y Pereira, Quito, Ecuador
SWIFT Code: PICHECEQ
If your donation is from the European Union or United States and you wish to receive a receipt for tax deduction purposes, write to us at support@fapecuador.org and we will send you a specific payment link tailored to your tax situation. - Communities are key allies:
✅ Local employment: We will hire rangers and guides from San Antonio de las Aradas
✅ Environmental education: Programs in local schools on the vizcacha and conservation
✅ Community ecotourism: Visits to Loma Delgada will generate income for local families (lodging, food, guiding)
✅ Water protection: Communities depend on water from these micro-watersheds - protecting Loma Delgada protects their access to clean water
✅ Active participation: Community representatives will be part of the Reserve Advisory Committee
Conservation only works when communities are protagonists, not spectators. - We work in complement with the authorities, not in their place.
Advantages of private conservation:
• ✅ Immediate action (government has long processes)
• ✅ Permanent protection without political changes
• ✅ Flexibility to innovate in management
• ✅ Less bureaucracy to implement actions
Collaboration with the state:
• We are in dialogue with the Local Autonomous Government
• We will seek official recognition as a private protected area
• We will share scientific data with public institutions
• We will comply with all Ecuadorian environmental regulations
Both sectors are necessary. We act where we can make the fastest difference. - Loma Delgada is home to dozens of species, many threatened:
MAMMALS:
• Ecuadorian vizcacha (critically endangered)
• Andean bear (occasional, vulnerable)
• Puma (occasional, near threatened)
• White-tailed deer
• Andean fox
• Foxes, armadillos, yamala, chonto
BIRDS:
• Penélope bárbata (wattled guan) - vulnerable
• Trogon personatus
• Andean eagles
• Hawks, pilcos, doves
• Endemic hummingbirds
• Congos, chilas
FLORA:
• Native cedars (threatened by logging)
• Ramos palm (endemic)
• Century-old fig trees
• Native orchids
• And more than 50 species of native trees and shrubs
Protecting 35 hectares = protecting entire ecosystems. - Yes, you can make your donation directly from any Ecuadorian bank by transfer to the following account:
Bank: Banco Pichincha
Beneficiary: Fundación Amazonía Productiva
Account number: 2100207118
Account type: Checking (current)
Tax ID (RUC): 1691712768001
Once you have made the transfer, please send us the receipt to support@fapecuador.org or by WhatsApp at +593 99 581 7294 so we can register your donation and send you the corresponding certificate.