Cerro Blanco Forest facts for kids

The Cerro Blanco Forest (which means Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco in Spanish) is a special nature reserve in Ecuador. It's located in the Guayas Province and is a great example of a tropical dry forest. This type of forest has a long dry season each year.

This amazing forest is owned by a company called Holcim Ecuador. It is managed and protected by a group called Fundación Pro-Bosque. They work hard to keep the forest safe and healthy. You can even visit Cerro Blanco Forest to explore its natural wonders!

Discovering Cerro Blanco Forest

Cerro Blanco Forest is a fantastic place to learn about nature. It's a protected area, which means it's kept safe for all the plants and animals that live there. This forest is very important for keeping the environment balanced in Ecuador.

Home to Amazing Animals

This forest is bursting with life! It's home to a huge variety of animals. Imagine seeing:

• More than 200 different kinds of birds flying through the trees.
• Over 50 types of mammals, including more than twenty kinds of bats!
• More than 10 species of reptiles, like snakes and lizards.
• At least 10 different types of amphibians, such as frogs.

You can also spot many kinds of spiders, colorful butterflies, and other insects. It's like a giant outdoor classroom where you can learn about biodiversity.

A tarantula in Cerro Blanco Forest.

Famous Forest Residents

One of the most famous animals in Cerro Blanco Forest is the howler monkey. These monkeys are known for their very loud calls, which can be heard from far away! They use these calls to communicate with each other.

There are also stories that jaguars live here, though they are very shy and hard to spot. Finding a jaguar would be a truly rare and exciting experience!

A view of the beautiful Cerro Blanco Forest.

Protecting Rare Birds

Cerro Blanco Forest is super important for one very special bird: the Guayaquil macaw. This beautiful, large parrot is a type of Great green macaw (its scientific name is Ara ambiguus ssp. guayaquilensis). It is found only in the western coastal areas of Ecuador.

This forest is the most important place for the southern group of these macaws. Protecting Cerro Blanco helps make sure these rare and beautiful birds have a safe home and can continue to thrive. Conservation efforts here are vital for their survival.

Learn More

You can find more information about Cerro Blanco Forest in Spanish here: Bosque protector Cerro Blanco para niños