The Yasuní Biosphere Reserve is a reserve in eastern Ecuador that spans 2.7 million hectares. It is one of the last contiguous tracts of virgin tropical forest in the eastern part of Ecuador, and lies at the intersection of the Amazon Basin, the Andes mountains, and the equator. Because of this, there are so many different ecosystems, and it is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Sadly, many illegal loggers and hunters come to the park to hunt and deforest, often on a commercial scale. Local indigenous groups have started documenting and fighting these instances and are working to protect their native lands. The Yasuní Biosphere Reserve is the largest protected area in Ecuador, and is designated to protect indigenous peoples and wildlife from environmental and cultural exploitation. It contains 1,300 tree species, around 600 bird species, about 400 fish species, and more than 170 species of mammals, including lowland tapirs, white-lipped peccaries, jaguars, bush dogs, short-eared dogs, and 13 species of primates. There are also important populations of two endangered mammal species, the white-bellied spider monkey and the giant otter. The reserve is also important for the threatened golden-mantled tamarin and giant armadillo, and is one of the most important sites in Ecuador for jaguars. The area of land called the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve includes Yasuní National Park (a UNESCO world heritage site), Waorani Ethnic Reserve, and the Tagaeri-Taromenane Intangible Zone. The reserve protects a huge number of threatened species, and is also known for its exceptional cultural value. It is home to the last representatives of the Waorani ethnic group and two indigenous groups in voluntary isolation. It is also home to Kichwa, Shuar and non-indigenous colonist communities. In summary, the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve is an environmental and cultural hotspot that is home to many endangered species and indigenous cultures that should be cared for and protected.

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Park, National. “Global Conservation.” Global Conservation, 17 Jan. 2024, globalconservation.org/projects/yasuni-national-park-ecuador. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.