Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve ecotourism project

Abstract

Transturi, a major tour operator in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, entered into an agreement with the Zancudo people to provide exclusive access, refrain from hunting around the hotel, and protecting the area from encroachment. In return the local people were offered employment, food and medical supplies, transport, and some educational services. The collapse of tourism in the area strained the agreement resulting in lower Zancudo employment levels and the resuming of hunting near the hotel, but the Zancudo people still appear to be gaining significant benefits from the relationship.