For more than 25 years, the Andean Bear Foundation (Fundación Oso Andino) has led long-term scientific research on the Andean or spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) in Ecuador and South America.

This work is led by Armando Castellanos, a conservation scientist who has dedicated decades to studying Andean bears in the wild. His research has generated some of the most comprehensive datasets on bear movement and home range in the region, providing essential information for conservation planning.

Why are we fundraising?

We currently have a scientific manuscript ready for publication in a high-impact journal, presenting over two decades of data on Andean bear ecology, and will be the first to release a population-level dataset to the scientific community. This will have a huge impact on the conservation of this threatened species, as more scientists, use this data to pursue their own research goals. Unfortunately, we do not have the financial resources to cover publication costs.

We have summarized our major findings in this infographic. Please note these results may be subject to change after peer review.

Our fundraising goal

We aim to raise $5,000 USD, which will be used to:

Any additional funds raised will be directly reinvested into field research and conservation activities.

Why does this matter?

Our work is the first to analyze 19 bears in Ecuador and South America! By making this dataset freely available, we ensure it reaches:

- Scientists and conservationists worldwide

- Environmental authorities and decision-makers

- Organizations working to protect Andean bear habitat

Science-based conservation is essential to protect this threatened species.

Donor recognition

Thank you for supporting science, conservation, and the future of the Andean bear!