The Fundació Alive, based in Catalonia, has donated a thermal camera to the Reserva Privada Magaray, located in a forested area of high ecological value near Medellín, Colombia. This initiative aims to strengthen wildlife monitoring and improve knowledge of the biodiversity present in this natural area.
The reserva Privada Magaray covers around 36 hectares of well-preserved forest that form part of a landscape particularly rich in biodiversity within the Colombian Andean region. Despite its relatively small size, the reserve has become a small haven for numerous species of fauna and flora, many of which depend on forest fragments like this to maintain viable populations in an increasingly fragmented landscape.
Over the past few years, Juan David Ramírez, owner and guide of the Reserva privada Margay, has been actively working to document the wildlife present at the reserve using camera-trap techniques. This methodology, based on motion-activated automatic cameras, has enabled the recording of the presence of various species of mammals and other animals that use the forest as a habitat or ecological corridor. The results have revealed the great natural value of the estate and have sparked interest in continuing to delve deeper into the study of its biodiversity.
The thermal camera, an essential tool for wildlife monitoring
Despite the good results of camera-trapping, it had been noticed that some species were still going unnoticed. Many animals, especially those with very stealthy behaviours, nocturnal habits or that move through dense vegetation, can avoid conventional cameras or simply not trigger the sensors often enough to be recorded.
In light of this situation, the Fundació Alive has decided to support the project by donating a thermal camera. This type of device allows animals to be detected by their body heat emissions, even in complete darkness and at a certain distance, which greatly facilitates the locating of species that are difficult to observe using other techniques.
The use of a thermal camera will allow the existing camera-trap system to be complemented and significantly expand the possibilities for wildlife detection. In particular, it can be especially useful for observing animals during nocturnal forest walks, identifying arboreal species or detecting individuals moving outside the locations where automatic cameras are usually placed.
In addition to its scientific utility, this tool can also help to strengthen the environmental education and ecotourism activities carried out in the reserve. The opportunity to observe nocturnal wildlife in a respectful way can become a very valuable experience for visitors interested in nature and conservation.
Entities from different continents with a common objective
The Reserva Privada Margay, for its part, has committed to producing an annual report on the results obtained through the use of the thermal camera. This report will compile the observations made, the species detected and any relevant data that may contribute to our understanding of the local fauna. The aim is for this information to be shared and used to improve understanding of the area’s biodiversity, while at the same time we at the Fundació Alive can share the images and results with you.
With initiatives like this one carried out in Colombia, the Alive Foundation continues to drive on-the-ground conservation projects and support people who, like Juan David Ramírez, are actively working to protect natural areas of high ecological value.
Small actions such as donating equipment can have a very significant impact when they are put at the service of research, conservation and environmental awareness.
