Antisana Ecological Reserve

General Information

• Area: 296.516 acres (120.000 ha)
• Date of Creation: July 21, 1993
• Altitude: 4.592 — 18.712 ft (1.400 — 5.705 m)

Antisana is the reserve with the greatest remnant of condors, the greatest bird of the Andes and considered a patriotic symbol in Ecuador. Years ago the higher part of the reserve was used as a shepherding ground, which caused the erosion of the land and the endangerment of the condor, because shepherds hunted it considering the bird a threat although it only eats dead meat. Together with Cayambe — Coca Reserve and National Park Sumaco Napo — Galeras, all in the high basin of the Napo River, it is considered one of the ten biodiversity "hot spots" of the world.

Flora and Fauna

There are two zones in Antisana Reserve, a higher one that includes Antisana volcano and the paramo ecosystem, and another that descends into the Amazonian rainforest. In the first, one can find the chuquiragua, orchids, mosses and lichens, with animals such as the condor, the caracara or curiquingue, Andean seagulls, hummingbirds and paramo wolves. In the lower zone there is a good conserved forest, in which spectacled bears, tapirs, pumas, cocks-on-the-rock and toucans live.

Tourism

The main road that leads to the reserve parts from Quito and passes through Sangolquí and Píntag, arriving to the foot of Antisana volcano and to Miracocha lake, where trout can be fished. This road passes by interesting ancient lava flows and the Secas Lakes, also good for trout fishing. The lower zone is accessible through the road for Tena. The Jumandi Caves and Macaw Mountain Range are attractions near Baeza.