Protection Allows the Forest to Be Eternal

Forest guards protect against the devastatingly cruel trade in illegal “exotic” birds.

In order for the forest to truly be “eternal”, protecting land is as important as acquiring it.

Rainforest creatures are under continuous threat from poaching, habitat destruction and the ever-increasing demand for commercial development. The devastating trade in exotic animals, trophy hunting and other incursions into the forest boundaries all exert constant pressure on the fragile ecosystem it protects.

One forest guard costs about $15,000 per year—not much considering the benefit they deliver to the forest. Still, our conservation experts estimate that as many as 21 guards are needed to fully protect the forest.

We are always in need of more funds to pay for a sufficient staff of conservation guards to protect and defend the forest and the spectacular array of creatures, who lack the power to protect themselves.

Thanks to forest guards, these baby Keel-billed Toucans will be rehabilitated and returned to the forest, but poachers deprived them of much needed maternal care.