October 2021.- In order to continue the conservation of taricayas and help families affected by the pandemic that depend on this economic activity in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp), the Ministry of Environment and Profonanpe, Peru’s Environmental Fund, announced the reactivation of the campaign “Sponsor a taricaya, conserve Pacaya”.
From this week until November 11, anyone who wishes to get involved in the conservation and release of at least 12,000 specimens of this emblematic species can join this important campaign that will also benefit more than 30 families of the ORMARENA groups of the Arequipa and Buenos Aires communities, in the Yanayacu Pucate watershed of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
“Due to Covid-19 and the social isolation measures, many management and harvesting activities were paralyzed. As a result, taricaya management groups in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve saw one of their main sources of income affected, affecting all the families involved in the management and conservation of this species,” pointed out Carlos Sanchez, head of Sernanp’s Functional Operational Unit for Resource Management in Natural Protected Areas (NPA).
It should be noted that more than 30 years ago, this species was on the verge of extinction, but thanks to the commitment and coordinated work of the State, Profonanpe, Academia and, above all, the native communities, its population has been recovering.
How to support?
To collaborate, several options have been implemented such as the use of Yape, direct bank transfer and digital payment methods such as Visa Niubiz and Paypal by clicking here.
Remember that you can collaborate with the Pacaya Families from 4 soles. For your contribution you will receive a virtual donation certificate that will certify that you are a godfather or godmother of the Taricayas.
What are taricayas?
The taricaya is a species of turtle of the Podocnemididae family that lives in the large rivers and lakes of the Amazon. Adult females weigh between 5 and 12 kilograms, while adult males weigh between 4 and 5 kilograms. Egg laying naturally takes place on sandy beaches and sandy-clay beaches located on river banks and islands.
This species feeds on fruits and plants, but according to studies, it sometimes behaves as an omnivore. Its diet is based on aquatic plants such as huama, duckweed, fruits of riparian plants and mollusks.
Until the early 1990s, the taricaya was a victim of wildlife traffickers who traded it with impunity, putting it in danger of extinction. However, now taricayas live in adequate conservation conditions and are part of the attractions of experiential tourism in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, in Loreto.
