Colombia
Guayabero Cocodrilo Reserve
The Guayabero Cocodrilo Reserve is a 343 ha protected forest in the Colombia region of the northern Amazon rainforest. It is home to threatened species, including the Orinoco crocodile Crocodylus intermedius, the world’s most threatened crocodile species.
The reserve is a not-for-profit initiative that is run by Permian Colombia. Unlike Permian Global’s forest carbon projects, the Guayabero Cocodrilo Reserve is supported by philanthropy and does not generate carbon credits.
Through the project, Permian Colombia run a series of environmental conservation outreach programmes with local organisations, neighbouring communities and municipality’s parks authority. These include the Biodiversity Education Programme, which is supporting environmental education for school children, and the Macarenense Biodiversity Festival, an event that celebrates and pays tribute to the biodiversity of the region.
About the Reserve
The Guayabero Cocodrilo Reserve is a 343 ha conservation project besides the Rio Guayabero (tributary of the Orinoco River), near the town of La Macarena, in Central Colombia.
Part of the project had previously been used for cattle ranching (approximately 60 ha) and is now being restored. The remaining 283 ha represents an important refuge and habitat
The forest is home to a variety bird species, including the golden-headed manakin, scaled dove, velvet-fronted grackle, blue dacnis, and several tanagers, including the swallow tanager, the turquoise tanager, and the vibrant summer tanager.
Mammals found in the reserve include the capybara, the largest living rodent, native throughout much of South America. The tayra, which is part of the mustelid family that includes badgers, otters, weasels, martens and wolverines. The Tayra resembles a large marten or a sleeker, smaller wolverine. Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth – the largest extant sloth species. The endangered Amazon river dolphin, sometimes known as the pink river dolphin. And jaguar, an important keystone species that plays a role in stablising ecosystems and regulating prey populations across its Central and South American ranges.
The reserve also has a population of Orinoco crocodiles, a critically endangered species, only found in the Orinoco river basin in Venezuela and Colombia. [Learn more].
Ecological restoration of the degraded areas of the reserve have been ongoing since the start of the project in 2020. Permian Colombia is conducting biodiversity research throughout the reserve, including with camera traps to collect data species present in the area.
Events at the reserve
The Reserve has become a hub for environmental education and conservation. Working closely with local entities, neighbouring communities, and the municipality’s parks, the reserve has implemented the Biological Education Programme (BEP). This programme aims to build environmental knowledge among children years 4 to 6 from nearby educational institutions through direct experiences with living organisms in the forest.
Community outreach
A. The reserve has become a hub for environmental education and conservation. Working closely with local organisation, nearby communities, and the municipality’s parks, the reserve has implemented the Biological Education Programme (BEP). This programme aims to build environmental knowledge among children years 4 to 6 from nearby educational institutions through direct experiences with living organisms in the forest.
B. In 2022, the first Macarenense Biodiversity Festival was held. This event was more than just a celebration, it was a tribute to the rich biological diversity of the region, led by the children from the BEP. The celebration is not only a reminder of the region’s natural environment but also a testament to the fact that through education and active participation, the children of La Macarena are preparing to be the guardians of their territory’s biodiversity.
C. Using recycled wood, a birdwatching tower has been erected, providing a privileged vantage point for observing and studying the reserve’s avifauna. The tower not only benefits researchers but also offers visitors a unique experience, allowing them to connect with nature from above. We also have a “hide” for animal monitoring by an important ecological salt pond, and trails with benches for the visitors to rest or hydrate.
D. Additionally, to support the biological education program, two small additional houses were built. One is designated to children who engage in educational activities that teach them the importance of conservation and respect for the environment. The other house was transformed into a cozy refuge for researchers, making their stay more comfortable as they carry out their studies and projects in the reserve.
