Wildlife | Global Forest Generation

Andean Condor

One of the world’s longest living birds, it has a life-span of 50-70 years. It is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Andean Condor

One of the world’s largest flying birds, the Andean Condor is also the largest raptor. It can soar to 18,000 feet (5,500 meters) on air currents.

Spectacled Bear

The only surviving species of bear native to South America, the Spectacled Bear is primarily a herbivore. It inhabits the fragmented cloud forests of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Cochabamba Mountain-finch

This endangered bird, endemic to Bolivia, is only found in the Cordilera de Cochabamba of central Bolivia. The species is in decline because of widespread destruction of its Polylepis forest habitat. Yet small breeding populations still occur.

Royal Cinclodes

The critically endangered Royal Cinclodes inhabits Polylepis forests of Peru and Bolivia. The bird’s total population was recently estimated to be fewer than 300 individuals.

Marbled four-eyed frog

Living at 17,700 feet above sea level in Peru’s Cordillera Vilcanota, this is the world's highest altitude amphibian. Recent research indicates that this species is responding to climate change by expanding into new upslope habitat.

Andean mountain cat

This endangered, small wild cat is native to the high Andes of Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Its highly fragmented population is estimated to number fewer than 2500.

Black-breasted Puffleg

A critically endangered species of hummingbird native to Ecuador, there are fewer than 300 individuals remaining in the wild. Now found only in northwest Ecuador, the Black-breasted Puffleg inhabits Polylepis forests.

Screaming hairy armadillo

This very small burrowing armadillo, native to Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, is approximately 14 inches long and weighs 30 oz. (860 grams). It gets its name because it squeals when threatened and has more hair than other armadillo species. It is omnivorous and spends most of its time foraging.

Ash breasted Tit-Tyrant

An endangered, small flycatcher found in Peru and Bolivia, the Ash breasted Tit-tyrant inhabits Polylepis forest fragments.

Vicuña

The wild ancestor of domesticated alpaca, the vicuña are native to the high Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. As poaching remains a constant threat because of the animal’s prized wool, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classifies most of the population as threatened and Ecuador’s population as endangered.

Orchids

There are many endemic and endangered orchid species that grow in cloud forests of the Andes. Some grow on the branches of shrubs and Polylepis trees. The orchids' habitat has been severely affected by deforestation, livestock, agricultural expansion, and forest fragmentation.