Help protect the Andean cloudforest, home of the newly-discovered olinguito, with Naturetrek

Aug. 21, 2013 - PRLog -- News that the olinguito, a new species of carnivore, has been discovered in the Andean cloudforests of South America is certainly set to raise the profile of this biodiverse and
critically-threatened habitat.

Wildlife specialist Naturetrek has long been a supporter of the plight of the cloudforest in Ecuador, investing over £120,000 since 2007 in the purchase of 433 acres of key
habitat to form part of a larger reserve, owned and managed by the Ecuadorian conservation organisation, EcoMinga.

Its most recent purchase will help to connect all the reserves and build a ‘corridor’ to ease the movement of wildlife, especially larger mammals, such as mountain tapir, spectacled bear and puma.

Naturetrek is carefully developing wildlife tourism, and awareness of its value, in the region. It currently offers two tempting trips to the Andean cloudforest in Ecuador:

A 15-day Ecuador – The Andes & Amazon birdwatching tour, exploring the threatened western cloudforests, spectacular high páramo and the Amazon basin. A whole host of fascinating bird species await, including the plate-billed mountain toucan, Andean cock-of-the-rock, macaws, flycatchers, birds of prey and many more. The price is from £3,495 pp (two sharing), including return flights (London), lodge and hotel accommodation, most meals, all transport and expert guiding. Departs 6 August 2014 and 5 November 2014.

A pioneering 16-day Andean Flora of Ecuador itinerary, in search of orchids and other very special plants. A dream destination for the budding botanist, the range of habitats (lava flows, subtropical and cloudforest, arid plateaux and craggy passes) means a diversity of flora, including showy orchids and tree-sized flowering mistletoes. The price is from £3,595 pp (two sharing), including return flights (London), lodge and hotel accommodation, most meals, all transport and expert guiding. Departs 24 August 2013 and 23 September 2014.

You never know, you might be among the first to see the olinguito, and you’ll be sure of travelling with an environmentally-sensitive and responsible wildlife operator.

For further information and to book, call Naturetrek on 01962 733051 (http://www.naturetrek.co.uk).

Ends
21 August

Notes to editors: Naturetrek operates the largest selection of expert-led wildlife holidays in the world. From birdwatching and photography to trekking and conservation, it can cater to any wildlife-watching wish. All Naturetrek holidays and short breaks are escorted small group tours guided by expert British and local naturalists, ornithologists and botanists.  

Naturetrek makes a donation on behalf of every client booking a holiday to the World Land Trust, a conservation charity that assists with the purchase of some of the world’s most biologically-important and endangered forests, and works with EcoMinga. The funds are specifically used to purchase and protect the Andean cloudforest.

Press: For further information, to discuss a possible press trip, for photography, or to interview David Mills, MD of Naturetrek, contact Sarah Belcher at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or s.belcher@travelpr.co.uk.