Wildlife in the Ecuadorian Amazon Basin
The Amazon rainforest in Ecuador covers an area of nearly 125.000 sq. Km (78.125 miles). Ecuador has a very easy access to the Amazon. Animals like tapirs and monkeys can be seen. Freshwater dolphins, caimans and snakes can be found as well, more than a hundred species of brightly-colored butterflies and other insects. Toucans, parrots and other species of birds exist within an incredible biodiversity of plants.
The Amazon or jungle region, located to the east of the Andes, is one of the most accessible and traveler-friendly areas of the upper Amazon basin, the biologically richest area anywhere on earth. There are innumerable varieties of flora, including many of Ecuador's 4,500 species of orchids, and many plants with medicinal value. Wildlife such as butterflies, bats, monkeys, sloths, parrots, macaws, river dolphins and caimans are all relatively easy to view. The Ecuadorian Amazon offers a wide range of activities including swimming, canoe journeys, rain forest walks, bird watching, animal spotting and visits to local jungle communities. The Amazon accounts for little more than 5% of the total population but here there are small communities of Indians such as the Huaorani, Cofan, Shuar, and Siona-Secoya who live in jungle villages and carry on with many of their ancient traditions. The Amazon also has some of the finest white water rafting routes in the country.
