I am Ronaldo Mesias and I have grown up surrounded by the wonderful forests in this area, and until recently I had the mentality typical of farmers, surviving from what the forest could provide us with, just like my parents did. Before working in the Tesoro Escondido Reserve my brothers and I helped transport cut wood.
I knew that Tesoro Escondido existed, but I did not know exactly what it was. They motivated me to generate a change in my life because I did not want to continue with the activity I was doing at that time. Thanks to my girlfriend, I was able to learn more about this beautiful conservation project, and after meeting Citlalli, the Reserve Director, I started attending the parabiologist workshops. This is how this adventure began for me and how it changed my way of seeing the forest. Thanks to those who make up this work team, my way of thinking is changing, I now appreciate Mother Nature and I feel very grateful for the opportunity I have to protect her.
Now I want to share an experience lived in the Reserve Escondido Reserve that became one of the most important records of this year. On June 19, 2018 I was doing my everyday work. I was walking with Holly and Alex, two foreign students who came to the Reserve to do a research project. While we were doing the monkeys census we decided to take the opportunity to take pictures of the birds that appeared around us. Suddenly, we saw an imposing different large bird. At first, we were shocked to see its face. I can confess that I felt at the same time a little afraid and curious because I had never seen something like this in my life. After several hypotheses and reviewing information regarding the characteristics of the bird we saw, we concluded that it was a bird that is in critical danger of extinction, the harpy eagle.
Photo: Gualpi Cascade
Taken by: Ronaldo Mesias
Photo: Harpy Eagle - Arpia harpyja
Taken by: Ronaldo Mesias
The harpy eagle makes its nests in the tallest trees of the forest; it feeds on some smaller mammals such as monkeys, sloths and others. The chick is raised and fed by their parents for a year. It is in critical danger of extinction due to deforestation, illegal trafficking and hunting by peasants who are unaware of its ecological importance. The harpy eagle helps maintain balance in ecosystems because it controls the population of its prey -some mammals- that in large numbers can be harmful in the ecosystem.
Written: Ronaldo Mesias
Parabiologist of Tesoro Escondido Reserve