In April 2010, the Peruvian government announced the creation of Archaeological and Ecological Park of Batán Grande to conserve cultural and ecological resources in 112,379 acres of tropical dry forest of northwest Peru. This park is supported and recognized by all levels of Peruvian society. It is cause for optimism not only for its own sake, but also because it links two smaller, protected areas. Together, these three areas help ensure that remaining habitats will not be reduced to isolated mountaintop islands separated by human development, and they will protect a wide array of plants and animals that are threatened with extinction. These include such charismatic animals as the Andean bear and the white-winged guan, and fascinating plants such as the sapote and the algarroba trees. Plans are underway to implement conservation management of the park, including deployment of park guards and restoration of riparian areas. The preservation of this rare, tropical dry forest, and the species that depend on it, is a huge reason for hope!
