Faunistic Reserve Chimborazo

RESERVES

Biodiversity

1 El Cajas

2 Cotopaxi

3 Galapagos

4 Llanganates

5 Machalilla

6 Podocarpus

7 Sangay

8 Sumaco

9 Yasuni

10 Limoncocha

11 Marine Galapagos

12 Antisana

13 El Angel

14 Cayambe- Coca

15 Cayapas -Mataje

16 Cotacachi - Cayapas

17 Los Ilinizas

18 Mache - Chindul

19 Churute

20 Pululahua

21 Cuyabeno

22 Chimborazo

23 Pasochoa

24 El Boliche

25 Santa Clara

26 El Condor

27 Puyango

28 Mindo

29 Ozogoche

30 Majagual

31 Jatun Sacha

32 Guandera

33 Bilsa

34 Cerro Blanco

35 Don Juan

36 Pahuma

Biodiversity

Chimborazo Fauna Reserve

Chimborazo is the highest peak in Ecuador with over 6300m and the centerpiece of this animal reserve. The southern part is very dry and only sparsely covered with vegetation.

The main animal attractions are Vicuñas, only place in Ecuador where those graceful llamas can be seen. A herd of about 200 animals were donated by Chile several years ago and are now raised in this faunistic reserve.

Melt off from the glacier provides some moisture in this dry and high environment. Birds like Seed Snipes take advantage of the little it has to offer.

Cushion Plants and Asteraceas grow in those moister areas.

A sub-species of the Ecuadorian Hillstars ((Oreotrochilus chimborazo chimborazo) inhabits the high altitude regions around the two refuges up to 5000m. To survive the cold nights high altitude hummers go into a nightly state of topor to conserve precious energy.

Other birds found up there are Cinclodes, Sierra Finches and Ground Tyrants, which search the ground foe any morsel of food.

The first refuge is located at 4800m. That is also the highest point in the country which you can reach by car.

Chimborazo is a center of mountaineering and a challenging climb for many. This group from Russia met the challenge and crowned the peak.

The mountain however took already the lives of several climbers, which are commemorated by plaques. A stone monument dedicated to Simon Bolivar, who visited this mountain.

Sunset over the Pacific ocean admired from the second refuge located at 5000m.

@ all photos taken by the author

Location:	Province of Chimborazo
Area:	58 560 ha
Time of Creation:	October 26th of 1987
Administration:	INEFAN (National Parks of Ecuador)
Borders:	North: Rio Pilahuin and Blanco West: Rio Salinas South: Rio Chimborazo East: Urbina
Altitudes:	3800m to 6310m
Precipitations:	200mm - 1300mm
Temperatures:	7-17°C (occasional frosts in the higher regions)
Ecosystems:	bhM, bmhSA, bpSA, eM, N

RESERVES

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