By Randy Borman, Claire Nicklin | Director, Cofan Survival Fund
In addition to the important work of advocating for land conservation and securing important policy protections, the Cofan also do the necessary work of patrolling their territory to make sure the treaties are protected, which isn't easy! In April a group of 60 Cofanes divided into 5 groups and traveled on foot and by car and canoe over 55 kilometers to get to a 75-kilometer swath of river and trails by the Gueppi river on the Northern border near Peru. The preparation that goes into this type of expedition takes months and involves getting the paperwork for the canoes renewed, obtaining permits to buy gasoline, and repairing canoes. After a few nights of camping in neighboring communities and fishing for food, the group arrived at the placid and narrow Gueppi river. The water is a deep reddish brown, humic acids coming out of the huge mauriti swamps along the river stain the water, and at the same time, purify it. The group stops a few bends up the river to mix up banana and yucca drinks and “drink their breakfast” before continuing the voyage. The canoes drive slowly up the river as the person in front, armed with a chainsaw and machete clears trees and vegetation that have fallen over in storms. The people in the middle of the canoe are also hacking at vegetation with their machetes while the driver is maneuvering around the underwater obstacles. Fire ants and thorns are a constant nuisance, but the group is rewarded with friendly wildlife as well: macaws, pink dolphins, saki monkeys; fish jump, and howler monkeys roar in the distance in response to their outboard motors. They spend a week clearing trails and taking GPS points of key wildlife and landmarks. There are broken motors, mosquitos and torn muscles, but there are also nights under the stars, storytelling, and a wild boar hunt. The Cofan are important guardians of the Amazon forest and they continue to appreciate the support they receive from Global Giving to fund their conservation work.
By Randy Borman | Director, Cofan Survival Fund
By Claire Nicklin | Board Member
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