ESPAÑOL

JAMBATO ALLIANCE

An initiative that unites the efforts of various academic institutions, organizations, researchers, and the community taking on the challenge of protecting the Jambato frog (Atelopus ignescens), which is critically endangered and almost at the brink of extinction

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About us

The Jambato Alliance is a non-governmental, non-profit organization created by bringing together an interdisciplinary team of professionals and national and international institutions to work towards conserving threatened biodiversity and the ecosystems they comprise.

Our framework of action includes the design, implementation, and execution of conservation programs that encompass projects for protecting and increasing vulnerable species populations and habitats, research, environmental education, community engagement, environmental communication, and sustainability.

David Jailaca
Photo by: ©Andrés Reinoso

In 2021, the Jambato Alliance was established as a seed project led by individuals committed to the conservation of this species. This project aimed to unite efforts to position the Jambato as an emblematic species and save it from extinction. The Jambato Alliance has been built upon the work of researchers from various academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the Angamarca community, where this little toad still persists. The actions taken complement the captive breeding program for this species, which was initiated in 2016 by the Jambatu Center.

Mission

Join efforts to conserve threatened biodiversity through an integral, interdisciplinary conservation model based on evidence and environmental education, actively involving local communities and acknowledging their local and cultural context.

Vision

To become a solid organization that significantly contributes to improving the conservation status of threatened biodiversity through top-level interdisciplinary research, environmental education, and a community-based approach, respecting local cultural values and developing sustainable strategies that improve the quality of life for humans sharing their habitat.

Values

Respect for biological and human diversity; humanity, empathy, honesty, tolerance, commitment, reciprocity, transparency, inclusion, participation, gender equality, ethics, and bioethics (non-maleficence, beneficence, autonomy, and justice).
Organization Structure

WE STARTED WITH OUR FLAGSHIP PROJECT FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE JAMBATO HARLEQUIN TOAD

Photo by: © Stefany Obando
Alianza Jambato works together with local authorities for building a conservation strategy that benefits the communities of Angamarca.

​The main goal of this initiative is to join forces and make the Jambato an emblematic species, saving it from extinction, by means of research and conservation actions that involving, and led by the local community.

Photo by: ©Gustavo Pazmiño

Five years after the rediscovery of the Jambato, an emblematic frog of the Ecuadorian highlands, researchers and community leaders have joined forces to conserve it.

The Jambato was a historically abundant toad that disappeared suddenly at the end of the 1980s, with the last recorded sighting in 1988. In 2004, it was declared extinct by the IUCN. However, it was rediscovered in 2016 in the parish of Angamarca, in the Cotopaxi province (Pujilí canton). David Jailaca, a 12-year-old boy, found it while cutting alfalfa at his home. To him, it was just another toad from the area, as he didn’t know it was such a sought-after species. It wasn’t until he heard about a reward for its discovery that he realized how special it was. After this, it was confirmed that the Jambato still survived in this remote valley.

The Jambatu Center for Amphibian Research and Conservation led this campaign, after which an emerging assisted breeding program was initiated and has been successful. However, no efforts had been made to conserve the wild population in its last refuge.

ANGAMARCA

LAST KNOWN REFUGE FOR THE JAMBATO

The last known refuge for the Jambato is located in Angamarca, a parish located on the western part of the Andes mountain range, in the province of Cotopaxi. This area is rich in history, culture and its beautiful landscapes. Nevertheless, contrary to popular belief, the areas where the Jambato were found are far from pristine. The landscape is actually composed of pastures and farmlands, thus they coexist with the local inhabitants.

Since its inception, our project has worked closely with the local community and authorities, who are our main partners in Angamarca. All work is carried out through hands-on environmental education building on local scientific knowledge, aided by constant communication with locals. We additionally hold workshops and conduct fieldwork with all age groups of local youth and adults alike, where fieldwork is always done with local collaborators who serve as field assistants for collaborative work with researchers.

Our main goal is to build and strengthen capacities and knowledge, while creating awareness with the local community in order for them to value, look after the Jambato. We believe that the Jambato will become a flagship species, and its conservation will allow us to broaden this effort to other locally threatened species.

EL JAMBATO

The Jambato’s scientific name (Atelopus ignescens), is a derived from the high contrast black-to-orange coloring found between their back and abdomen (belly), similar to a lighted piece of charcoal: ”ignescens” means “to become inflamed” in Latin. Their common name derives from the Kichwa word “jampatu”, which means frog. This name is derived as a result of it being so abundant, therefore this particular species generic image of any frog for its neighboring humans. It was frequently found in grasslands, pastures, and around the cities of Latacunga, Quito and Ambato. The latter city in fact owes its name to this frog which was once common in the area. This species is characterized by being diurnal, terrestrial, and slow-moving. Its reproduction takes place in flowing water in rivers where they engage in amplexus, which is when the male frog latches onto a female’s back. The female then deposits its eggs in rivers and streams. The tadpoles live under rocks, thanks to a suction cup that allows them to firmly attach themselves. In our monthly research trips we continue to further our knowledge of the basic biology of this frog, as we have a long way to go in our understanding.

Milestones

2022

  • May 2022: High involvement and commitment from local communities.
  • June 2022:Implementation of in situ conservation strategies.
  • September 2022: This unprecedented alliance brought together over 50 professionals from various fields, the highest number for an amphibian species.

2023

2024

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New releases

Path for recovery: an ecological overview of the Jambato Harlequin Toad (Bufonidae: Atelopus ignescens) in its last known locality, Angamarca Valley, Ecuador

Recent scientific publication on the ecology and biology of the Jambato Harlequin Toad.

Free access in https://peerj.com/articles/17344/

Amphibians and reptiles of Angamarca parish, last refuge of the Jambato Harlequin Toad

The first guide of amphibians and reptiles of Angamarca is a tool to increase knowledge and awareness of these species within local communities.

Download here!

(Only available in Spanish)

External links

Amphibian Survival Alliance

A second chance: in situ conservation of the Critically Endangered jambato harlequin (Atelopus ignescens) through local community involvement.
More information

Stiftung Artenschutz

A second chance: saving the last wild population of the Critically Endangered Jambato harlequin through local community involvement.
More information

UICN

An alliance to save the jambato harlequin toad from extinction.
More information

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The Harlequin Magazine

Magazine for Atelopus news.
More information

U

Red Divulgaciencia

Episode Alianza Jambato
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Jambato, Sapo Negro

by Jacana Jacana. Ilustración: Selva Selvita | Jacana Jacana. Illustration: Selva Selvita | Song published as part of the project “Harlequin toads, the jewels of our forests and paramos” (Valencia et al. 2022).

En esta montaña canta un sapito
jambato negro en mi jardín
canta al amanecer, canta cuando va a llover
y cuando el sol se va a esconder

auu uu uuuu
jambato, sapito de la Pachamama
auu uu uu, que crezcan las habas
otra vez en mi montaña

aunque nadie te había visto
yo sabía que estabas vivo
por eso
te busqué, te busqué
y me fuí con mi llamita
a buscarte en la yerbita
y entonces
te encontré, te encontré

Jambato negro de la Pachamama
entre una nube te encontré cuando soñaba
jambato negro de la Pachamama
luego en el arroyo de agua clara tú cantabas

auu uu uuuu
Phuyupi, muskuypi
kanta mashkarkani
auu uu uu,
Jambatu, jambatuku
Pachamamamanta

auu uu uuuu
jambato, sapito
de la Pachamama
auu uu uu
corazón de fuego
que ilumina mi mañana

Phuyupi, muskuypi
kanta mashkarkani
khipaka chuyaklla yakupi
takiparkangi
Nina shungu tutamandata ninayangi

THE JAMBATO HARLEQUIN TOAD REPRESENTS THE HOPE FOR THE RECOVERY OF THREATENED SPECIES AND HAS BECOME AN AMBASSADOR FOR WORKING TOWARDS THE CONSERVATION OF OTHER SPECIES IN NEED OF OUR HELP.

Donations

You can also help us preserve the jambato toad, and give it a second chance.

Donate $25
Donate $50
Donate $100
Donate $500

Bank transfer

Alianza Jambato
RUC 1793220131001

Banco Pichincha
Savings account
#2212567938

If you can contribute with a larger donation, contact us.

 

And if you want to know other ways to get involved, fill out this form:

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