La Pintada

Santa Fe Ecological Foundation has leased from the State government an initial 83 hectare tract of land, assigned to establish the Rehabilitation Center, of which approximately 46 hectares are in dry tropical forest and the rest is cattle pasture which is currently being restored with native species and permitting the natural regeneration of the area. There are also approximately 100 more hectares of forests neighboring this area which will be integrated to the program. Two abandoned buildings are currently being rebuilt to house personnel, build a first aid station, and the environmental education classroom. The project is located in the town of La Pintada, about 2-1/2 hour drive from Medellin, and located 700 meters above sea level. The area was heavily hunted down in the past.

Our immediate programs in the Center, are:

  • Rehabilitate and reintroduce confiscated primates presently caged in the Santa Fe´Zoo. Currently, we have 25 red holwers (Alouatta seniculus), 12 black spiders (Ateles fusciceps), 18 cotton-top tamarins, (Saguinus Oedipus).
  • Develop captive breeding programs for the blue-billed curassow (Crax alberti) and the green macaw (Ara militaris), for posterior reintroduction in their original habitats.
  • Develop conservation and population studies for the white footed tamarin (Saguinus leucopus).
  • Implement handmade craft programs in communities neighboring our conservation programs, hand in hand with environmental education , in order to teach individuals that there are alternatives to poaching and change their destructive behavior towards the environment.

Future Projects

Colombia is endowed with rich and highly diverse natural resources that provide a wide range of products and services. Poverty and short term economic gain of the communities that inhabit areas rich in biodiversity are roots of a damaging ecological behavior. A consequence of this attitude is the illegal traffic of fauna and flora, for which sustainable economic alternatives must be offered to these communities, accompanied with environmental education programs. Initially, a plan of arts and handcrafts is being developed using natural and/or renewal materials. This program must contain the following elements.
  • A fair and adequate sharing of the benefits for the communities involved.
  • The sustainable use of the natural resources.
  • The conservation of biodiversity.
It is our aim to motivate international institutions, that share common interests with our purposes, to support these programs, and in this way contribute to the reduction of illegal traffic of wildlife.