TAMSHIYACU TAHUAYO REGION
The western Amazon rainforest, found in Peru, is known to have the greatest diversity of flora and fauna found in the world.
Biologists refer to this region as the “green paradise” of the Amazon forest. Within this region there exist exceptional national parks and reserves that contain the best wildlife viewing experiences to be found in the Amazon.
The most mega-diverse region in all of the Amazon may be the Area de Conservacion Regional Comunal de Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo (ACRCTT). Only Amazonia Expeditions has tourist facilities with access to this magnificent reserve. Peru’s first state reserve, it covers an expanded area of precious, ecologically diverse western Amazon rainforest. Exceeding 1.1 million acres, its approx. 1,600 square miles covers appreciably more land area than does the state of Rhode Island (1045 sq. mi). The ACRCTT was originally designated a reserve by the Peruvian government in 1991 to protect the range of the rare red uakari monkey, an orangutan-looking monkey with a bright red face. Subsequent scientific research has found one of the world’s richest variety of plants, amphibians, reptiles and birds. In 2003, Chicago’s Field Museum’s Rapid Biology Inventory #11 found more species of mammals and trees in the ACRCTT than any other documented natural area in the entire world. Scientists studying birds, amphibians, and plants have found the respective species assemblages to be “outstanding, unusual and exceptional.”
The reserve’s mammal diversity has been proven to be the greatest of any region in all of the Amazon. The number of primate species is the highest of any protected park or reserve in the world. Primate Species List.
The diversity of other species is also outstanding. Our bird list over 600 species (contact us for a copy or view the list online), including several species that cannot be seen on other tours. Several new species of frogs and butterflies have recently been described and a new species of saki monkey is currently under investigation.
Ongoing scientific research supported by Amazonia Expeditions is directed to conservation management of the reserve’s biodiversity as well as the introduction of sustainable economic practices among the native indigenous communities
Click on Tahuayo River Amazon Research Center for more information.
The reserve is managed with one of the most innovative conservation programs in the Amazon. It is the only program that enlists the collaboration of natives living downriver to subscribe to conservation management goals set by Amazonia professional biological staff.
For a map of the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo click here.
