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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
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- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
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- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
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- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
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- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
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- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
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- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

One donation, twice the impact. From the 18th – 25th April your donation to protect ancient woodland will be doubled through the Big Give.

Home // Research grants // Our worldwide projects // Ecuador’s eagles: protecting the kings of the air in the Andes

Ecuador’s eagles: protecting the kings of the air in the Andes

Murray Cooper black and chestnut eagle nest Ecuador Neblina Reserve

Black and chestnut eagles on the edge

Black and chestnut eagles make their homes in the forested mountain slopes of the tropical Andes. With a wingspan of almost two metres, these magnificent birds are one of the largest raptors in Latin America.

Yet black and chestnut eagles are also one of the least studied species – partly because of their remote, mountainous habitat. But we do know that they’re increasingly threatened. The ongoing fragmentation and destruction of tropical montane cloud forest from unsustainable agriculture, development projects such as road building, and severe threats from extractive industries, mean the eagle’s habitat has been declining rapidly for many years. We also know that human/eagle conflict is a major problem. As their forest habitat is destroyed, eagles are more likely to take poultry from smallholders, meaning persecution of the eagles becomes more common.

With fewer than 1,000 birds remaining, and possibly as few as 250, they’re unable to survive without intervention. Maintaining and creating ecological corridors is critical. As is working with local communities to protect each and every nest site. Ensuring suitable habitat is protected and connected is essential to their survival.

Interventions to increase numbers

Over the last couple of years, our partners at Rainforest Concern, who we’ve supported in their successful efforts to bolster Andean bears through increasing protection of Neblina Reserve, have seen eagles nesting in trees close to the reserve. Neblina, a cloud forest reserve in the northwest of Ecuador, now has greater protection from threats than ever. But sadly, the trees surrounding the eagles’ nest just outside the reserve were unwittingly cut down.

Thankfully, in late 2021, the team, including Tashkin Meza, Sonja Dillman and primary forest guard Milton Arcos, found a nest with a juvenile and its parents within the reserve itself.

With so few eagles left, interventions can have a significant impact on protecting existing populations. With advice and support from raptor specialists, the team will spend two years studying the eagles, observing their habits, including learning more about their flight paths and favoured prey. They’ll also search for evidence of other eagle nests in the vicinity and set up observation posts to closely monitor them.

With all the information they collect, they’ll be able to develop protection strategies to ensure the eagles remain in the reserve and safe in the surrounding landscape. The team will work with the local community and their leaders, to educate and raise awareness about black and chestnut eagles, improving local attitudes, and creating a community protection plan with them to help the species survive in the wider landscape. The data collected will also be used by the Ecuadorian Ministry of the Environment to help create a national black and chestnut eagle conservation plan.

Since black and chestnut eagles are an umbrella species, protecting the eagles will ensure the wider protection of the cloud forest ecosystem that they’re part of.

This project is only possible thanks to our generous donors. Can you help by donating today?

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Header image credit Murray Cooper