In November 1997, US ornithologist Robert Ridgely and his team discovered a previously unknown species of bird in southern Ecuador. The bird, later named the jocotoco antpitta, was described as large, noisy, and distinct from other members of its family.
Recognising the need to protect the bird's habitat, Ridgely and colleagues founded the Jocotoco Foundation in 1998. The foundation has since grown to manage 19 reserves throughout Ecuador, encompassing approximately 50,000 hectares. It also oversees an additional 82,000 hectares of privately and communally owned land.
These protected areas are home to over 1,350 bird species, representing 80% of all species found in Ecuador and one in eight of all bird species worldwide. The foundation's conservation model involves habitat restoration, protection against illegal activities by local park guards, and monitoring of key species.
A recent study in the Chocó region of north-west Ecuador indicated that formerly deforested lands managed for biodiversity can recover rapidly. Within three decades, these areas showed a 90% recovery in biomass and species numbers compared to nearby mature forests, with 75% of original old-growth forest species returning.