Ecuador Establishes New Wildlife Corridor to Protect Amazon Biodiversity
In light of widespread wildlife declines, Ecuador has taken a major step toward advancing biodiversity conservation with the official designation of the Cuyabeno–Yasuní Connectivity Corridor (recognized under Ministerial Agreement MAATE-2025-0021-A). Spanning roughly 2,750 square kilometers in the Amazonian provinces of Sucumbíos and Orellana, the corridor bridges two of the country's most ecologically valuable protected areas: Cuyabeno Wildlife Production Reserve and Yasuní National Park.
This newly designated ecological link was developed through a collaborative effort that began in 2024. Spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Sucumbíos, and the municipal governments of Aguarico, Francisco de Orellana, and Shushufindi, the initiative received technical guidance from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
The formal recognition of the Cuyabeno–Yasuní Corridor represents a pivotal moment in Ecuador’s broader conservation strategy. It supports the formation of a national network of ecological corridors that aim to protect biodiversity, maintain healthy ecosystems, and enable the survival of wildlife that depends on habitat connectivity. These efforts also bolster the well-being of human communities who depend on these landscapes for their livelihoods and cultural identity.
A pair of white-bellied spider monkeys (Ateles belzebuth) in Yasuni National Park. The new Cuyabeno–Yasuní Connectivity Corridor will promote populations movement, gene flow, and overall conservation. Photo by: Naia Andrade (ARCC).
Connectivity corridors are essential for sustaining genetic flow among wildlife populations, especially large animals such as jaguar (Panthera onca) and tapir (Tapirus terrestrius). Corridors preserve migratory paths and enhance ecological resilience. They also help mitigate the effects of habitat fragmentation while providing critical ecosystem services such as water regulation and carbon storage.
In addition to its ecological value, the initiative is intended to foster cooperation among Indigenous communities, local authorities, government agencies, universities, and private sector actors, building a unified approach to sustainable land use. The corridor is expected to support sustainable economic opportunities, including eco-tourism, bioeconomy projects, and agroforestry, connecting environmental goals with community development.
Overall, the Cuyabeno–Yasuní Connectivity Corridor provides an initial, but very promising, step for the future of Ecuador’s Amazon.
This news was first shared by the Wildlife Conservation Socioty (WCS), which acknowledges that this work is supported by the Legacy Landscapes Fund with co-financing from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Bezos Earth Fund and Harvey and Heidi Bookman.
