A Legacy of Life in the High Mountains
Discover the story behind the Nature Reserve. Decades of a true calling dedicated to protecting the most emblematic species of the Colombian Andes.
The Origin of a True Calling
The story of El Páramo Nature Reserve didn't begin in an office, but by walking the mountains. Since 1989, wildlife veterinarian Orlando Feliciano embarked on a pioneering and monumental task in Colombia: leading the Andean Condor Conservation Program. These were years spent venturing deep into the paramo ecosystems with tracking antennas, following the flight of released birds, and educating local communities. That relentless fieldwork laid the foundation for what would later become an untouchable sanctuary for native wildlife.
The Birth of the Sanctuary and the CREAM
At the turn of the millennium, this mission found its permanent home with the acquisition of the 65 hectares of high Andean forest in Guasca where you stand today. This marked the birth of the Bioandina Colombia Foundation and the historic CREAM (High Mountain Species Rehabilitation Center). It was right here that the work expanded to save the Andean Bear, rescuing individuals from historical conflicts with cattle ranching, rehabilitating them, and giving them a second chance. These were years of relentless hard work, understanding the territory, and coming face-to-face with the true wilderness.
The Evolution of Our Legacy
Today, all that history, the sweat on the mountain, and the profound respect for wildlife have evolved and consolidated under a single name: El Páramo Nature Reserve. The rehabilitation center fulfilled its historic mission, and the territory now stands as an area of strict conservation and responsible ecotourism. As you walk our trails, you are stepping on the very same sacred ground where high-mountain conservation in Colombia was forged. Your visit is the driving force that allows us to keep this cloud forest intact, ensuring it remains the free home of the wildlife we swore to protect over three decades ago.
