Happy Eco News Coffee Farmers Work to Protect the Colombian Spectacled Bear
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Farmers have found a unique and sustainable way to protect the Colombian Spectacled Bear.
In Colombia’s Western Andes, coffee farmers are joining forces to protect South America’s only native bear species, the Colombian spectacled bear. Once widely hunted and threatened by deforestation, this vulnerable species is finding hope in the conservation efforts of farmers like Jhoan Bravo, who have transformed their agricultural practices to prioritize both sustainability and wildlife preservation.
Bravo, a coffee farmer in Valle de Cauca, recalls a childhood where hunting the Colombian spectacled bear was part of rural life. His grandfather killed one, believing its fat had medicinal properties. But as hunting and logging persisted, sightings of the bears, also known as Andean bears, became rare. Today, only 13,000 to 18,000 spectacled bears remain, with 3,000 to 6,000 in Colombia. Deforestation, agriculture, and mining have drastically reduced their habitats, pushing them toward extinction.
In 2017, Bravo began to understand the consequences of deforestation and hunting. By 2018, he and other farmers joined a program called We Conserve Life, a partnership between local farmers, the nonprofit Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and Colombia’s National Natural Parks. This initiative aims to restore the bears’ habitat while supporting sustainable coffee production.
Above the town of El Águila, nestled among forested mountains, coffee farmers are turning over portions of their land to create biological corridors for the Colombian spectacled bear. These corridors link protected areas, such as Tatamá, Farallones, and Munchique National Parks, allowing the bears to roam freely. Since 2018, 16 farmers have dedicated 681 hectares to this effort, either planting trees or allowing the land to regenerate naturally.
Rather than abandoning coffee farming, participants focus on producing high-quality coffee on smaller plots. With tools, machinery, and enriched soil provided by the program, farmers can maximize productivity. Liliana Grisales, a coffee grower in the region, explained, “It’s not about quantity, but quality of the coffee.” By cultivating superior beans, these farmers command higher prices, improving their livelihoods while reducing their environmental footprint.
The Colombian spectacled bear, named for its distinctive cream-colored facial markings, is a vital part of the Andean ecosystem. These shy, solitary creatures, weighing up to 340 pounds, are omnivores that disperse seeds and pollinate plants as they forage for fruit, nuts, and small animals. Yet, extensive logging and agriculture have destroyed their habitats, leaving them with fewer places to feed and rest.
To address this, the conservation project emphasizes coexistence. Farmers voluntarily commit to preserving forested areas without legal contracts, renewing their agreements every five years. In return, they receive financial and technical support to enhance their coffee production.
Initially, many farmers resisted the initiative. Bravo himself was skeptical, recalling past mistrust of outside authorities. However, the turning point came when motion-sensor cameras captured footage of wildlife, including spectacled bears, returning to their land. “Seeing the bears wandering my land gave me incredible joy,” Bravo said. “It’s one thing to hear about them, but it’s another to see them.”
Others, like Carlos Rendón, a former hunter, experienced a similar shift. “This shouldn’t be just about thinking of ourselves but about future generations who deserve to enjoy nature,” Rendón said. “Those of us who were predators must now repair the damage we’ve done.”
The program’s impact extends beyond conservation. Coffee producers in El Águila have launched their own brand, Café Oso Andino, employing locals and educating students about the Colombian spectacled bear. Meanwhile, improved farming practices have boosted incomes and reduced environmental harm. For Grisales, the project is life-changing: “With better coffee and better prices, our quality of life improves too.”
Since the initiative began, indicators suggest the bear population in the Western Andes is increasing. A 2021 study showed a 73% probability of bear presence in the area, up from 56% in 2016. WCS is now working to assess the exact number of spectacled bears in the region, with results expected by 2025.
Bravo, reflecting on his journey, expressed gratitude for his transformed relationship with nature. “Now, when I go to the forest, I see animals and hear birds that chainsaws once scared away. I’ve fallen in love with the mountains, nature, and protecting the spectacled bear,” he said.
Through collaboration and commitment, these farmers are not only preserving the Colombian spectacled bear but also proving that conservation and sustainable development can go hand in hand.
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