Welcome to Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve

Zone Description

Located in the Provinces of: Chimborazo, Bolivar and Tungurahua
Date of Establishment: October 26, 1987
Resolution/Agreement: Inter-Ministerial Agreement #A-437
Area: 58,560 hectares - 145,000 acres
Altitude Range: 3,800 to 6,310 meters above sea level 12,467 feet to 20,703 feet

Description of the Region:

The reserve's flora includes highland forests and páramo vegetation, such as romerillo, blackberries, chuquiraguas, sigses, and occasionally quishuar, pumamaqui, and yagual (endemic Andean trees). The fauna is also typical of the paramo. There are dwarf deer, wolves, rabbits, and sometimes wild llamas. The llama population in the area has recovered through the efforts of reserve protection programs. Other species as vicuñas and alpacas have also been reintroduced to the area.

Bird species found in the reserve include Andean condors (difficult to observe) and several hummingbirds. The carunculated caracaras are also abundant. It is believed that the flight of the carunculated caracara brings luck to local communities. Species of hummingbirds, such as the "sword beak," and other sparrows and blackbirds are common.

Obviously, the greatest attractions of the reserve are the glacier-covered Chimborazo volcano, the highest mountain in Ecuador, and its neighbor, Carihuairazo volcano. Both mountains are located in the heart of the reserve. The thawing of their snowy peaks creates several small rivers that flow into the larger rivers of Ambato, Chambo and Chimbo. Ninety percent of the waters flow to the east into the Pastaza river. The other ten percent flow towards the west.

There is also a highland desert in the reserve that is similar to the Bolivian Arid Puna. This desert is well worth a visit. The area is almost completely void of vegetation -only a few grassland species are able to grow in sandy soil rich in volcanic material. The desert is located in the Chimborazo foothills and is accurately described by its name, "El Arenal" (the sandpit).

Soil erosion is a problem in the area due to the agricultural activities of neighboring communities. Grazing sheep are also partly responsible for this erosion.