The spectacled bear, also known as the Andean bear, ucumari or ukuku, is the only bear species inhabiting South America. In Peru, it can be found in a diversity of ecosystems including deserts, dry forests, Andean grasslands, paramos and montane forests, where it plays an important ecological role as a seed disperser.
Despite its importance in the ecological balance, the spectacled bear faces serious threats such as illegal hunting and the loss of its habitat due to deforestation, which has contributed to the drastic reduction of its population, making it vulnerable.
Photo: Renzo Piana – ACCA
In recent years, the bear population has declined drastically, and currently only about 100,000 ha remain between Lambayeque and Cajamarca. The main threat is the loss of habitat and the disconnection between their populations due to deforestation. This corridor has 21% of its surface area protected, with two natural areas of great importance: The Laquipampa Wildlife Refuge (RVSL), which is home to the emblematic species mentioned above, and the Bosque de Pómac Historic Sanctuary (SHBP), of great historic and cultural value. In addition, priority conservation sites such as Salas, Batangrande, and Pan de Azúcar are included.
In response to this problem, the Northern Peruvian Coastal Dry Forest Project is actively working on spectacled bear conservation in the Colina Sur Dry Forest Corridor, an area of 285,830.49 hectares located on the western slopes of the Andes, in the districts of Salas (provinces of Lambayeque and Ferreñafe). This corridor is a key conservation area because it is home to endemic species such as the white-winged guan.
Joint effort
On February 11, 2025, in Laquipampa, the project team met with SERNANP and Spectacled Bear Conservation (SBC) to deliver equipment to monitor this species and coordinate future actions to strengthen the conservation of spectacled bears and their habitat, in addition to exploring new opportunities for inter-institutional cooperation.
SBC has been monitoring this unique population in the equatorial dry forest for 15 years and recent studies show that the Laquipampa Wildlife Refuge and its surroundings harbor the largest known population of this species in the equatorial dry forest (37 individuals recorded), making it a key area for its survival. However, further work on landscape connectivity is needed to ensure its long-term conservation.
Therefore, the Dry Forest (Bosque Seco) project seeks to consolidate the conservation and restoration of this ecosystem by strengthening local and regional management capacities; consolidating the Lambayeque Regional System of Conservation Areas (SIRAC Lambayeque); promoting forest connectivity by promoting restoration strategies; and implementing sustainable productive pilots that promote access to new and improved business management.
Implementing conservation strategies
Since November 2024, six bear tracking devices have been installed, and with the support of the Dry Forest Project, four more will be installed in 2025. The implementation of these comprehensive strategies is crucial to protect habitat connectivity and ensure the conservation of spectacled bears in an area of approximately 45,000 hectares of dry forest.
The protection of this species not only ensures its own survival, but also strengthens the biodiversity and ecological balance of the ecosystem in which it lives.
About the “Dry Forest of the Northern Coast of Peru” Project
Dry forest ecosystems are crucial for climate change adaptation and mitigation, as they harbor great biological diversity and provide essential ecosystem services for local communities.
The “Dry Forest of the Northern Coast of Peru” project is an initiative financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the Ministry of Environment. It is supported by the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, FAO, IUCN and Profonanpe. Learn more here.
