Saving a bird paradise

Project goal: protecting Colombia’s bird species

Implementation: private protection zones, reforestation of land used for agriculture by using trees for roosting and feeding, research, awareness campaigns and training for local residents, setting up artificial nest boxes

Size: 34,000 hectares in 25 private protection zones so far

Volume: Donations, revenues from eco-tourism, around 65,000 trees planted by volunteers

Biodiversity: around 1,300 bird species live in the protected areas set up by conservation group Pro Aves alone. Colombia is home to a total of 1,903 bird species

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a misty mountain range overlooking the Caribbean coast of northern Colombia. The cloud forests here are a rich treasure trove of biodiversity, teeming with endemic species of plants and animals. The region is home to over 300 bird species, including the vivid Santa Marta parakeet which is now threatened with extinction. Members of conservation group "Pro Aves" are battling to save the bird through a combination of reforestation measures, nest boxes, protection zones and awareness campaigns. And they are counting on the many avid bird-watchers to the region to help them in the fight to save Colombia’s feathered creatures.

A film by Michael Altenhenne