Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve
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Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve – Introduction
The Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve contains an impressive diversity of primates and other amazonian animals. Although all the Amazon in South America is incredible, the western Amazonian rainforest (found in Peru) is thought to have the greatest diversity of life on Earth. Biologists refer to the area as a “green paradise” of the Amazon Rainforest. This section of the Amazon is home to exceptional national parks and reserves. One of these is the Area de Conservacion Regional Comunal de Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo (Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve).
Establishment of the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve
The Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve was established in 1991 due to extensive knowledge of the area’s biodiversity as well as local initiatives. A major incentive was to protect the range of the red uakari monkey, an orangutan-looking monkey with a bright red face.
Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Flora & Fauna
The Tahuayo Reserve is thought to contain the greatest diversity of primates reported in any of Peru’s protected areas. The reason for the rich wildlife is due to the areas pre-human history. The reserve retained its forest during the last ice age when most of the Amazon became dry savannah. It is thought that this enabled the area to act as a refuge for Amazonian wildlife. Subsequently, many species have been found here that exist nowhere else on earth. We have created a summary of some favourites below. If you would like more information on the animal, please click to thumbnail to be taken to the wildlife information pages.
Mammals of the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve
Reptiles of the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve
Birds of the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve
Tahuayo Reserve Bird List
As testament to the reserve’s biodiversity, we have compiled a bird list of 540 species seen in the reserve. This includes several species that cannot be seen anywhere else.
Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve Poison Dart Frogs
The Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve has a conservation section set up to help conserve poison dart frogs. You can visit this area on a guided walk from the Tahuayo Lodge to see and photograph these fantastically coloured rainforest frogs.
Location of the Reserve
The Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve contains over 300,000 hectares of Amazonian rainforest and is located in the state of Loreto, north east Peru, a three hour boat ride from the Peru’s gateway to the Amazon, Iquitos. A map of Iquitos and the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve is below.
Rivers of the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo
The reserve is bordered by the upper Tamshiyacu River in the north and the Tahuayo River in the west giving the reserve its name. These rivers are inhabited by one of the most popular aquatic mammals of the Amazon jungle, the large pink dolphins, often curious enough to greet swimming or canoeing tourists.
Indigenous People of the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve
The settlers around the Tahuayo reserve are known in Loreto as “Riberenos”. The Riberenos utilise agriculture, fishing, and harvesting of minor forest products, such as fruit and nuts, to make a living. They differ from most Indian groups in having a connection with the global market, and much of their produce is sold in Europe and North America.
The Tahuayo Lodge – Visiting the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve
To visit the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve you can stay at the Tahuayo Lodge, which is owned by a native family and the only tourist lodge with access to the reserve. Tahuayo jungle expeditions are offered on a privately guided tour.
Ongoing scientific research supported by the Tahuayo Lodge is directed to conservation management of the reserve’s biodiversity, as well as the introduction of sustainable economic practices among the native indigenous communities.
