The last refuge of
the Ecuadorian vizcacha

Frequently asked questions

What if we don't reach the full 100% goal?

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.

How can I verify that my donation is used correctly?

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.

When can I visit Loma Delgada?

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.

Is the vizcacha really critically endangered?

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 />Ecuador Red Book: https://bioweb.bio/faunaweb/mamiferoslibrorojo/FichaEspecie/Lagidium%20ahuacaense/ />
News:
https://cronica.com.ec/2025/02/26/la-vizcacha-ecuatoriana-especie-unica-en-peligro-critico/ />https://cronica.com.ec/2026/02/23/comunidades-y-jovenes-conservacionistas-de-quilanga-en-accion-para-proteger-al-roedor-andino-mas-enigmatico-del-ecuador-la-vizcacha/ />https://www.grupogreenjewel.org/la-vizcacha-ecuatoriana/ />https://www.mammalwatching.com/community-post/ecaudorian-viscachas-in-quilanga-loja-province-ecuador/

Can I donate from outside Ecuador?

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.

What about local communities?

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.

Why a foundation and not the government?

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.

What species besides the vizcacha are protected?

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.

Can I donate by bank transfer from Ecuador?

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.