Cuban Wildlife and Tropical Forests

Cuba hosts some of the most unique and amazing animals and plants in the world, but many are endangered. To conserve these species, help researchers and wildlife managers gain a better understanding of wildlife within protected areas in Cuba.

The mountainous forests of Lomas de Banao Ecological Reserve are home to species only found in the Caribbean—including the vulnerable Cuban Parakeet and the near-threatened Cuban Amazon Parrot. Despite the region’s unique biodiversity, long-standing political complexities have hindered collaborative international research with the United States and other nations. However, research and conservation collaborations have increased in the last decade, making this a critical moment for the wildlife of the island nation. With Cuba becoming more open to the world, many predict new economic opportunities and development, potentially impacting the region’s biodiversity.

Researchers are now seeking volunteers to assist them in surveying the stunning protected lands’ wildlife. This information will be vital in crafting effective management and conservation plans, particularly in the face of converging challenges from climate change and a post-pandemic world. The project has already produced baseline assessments of biodiversity in Banao, which include data on birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plant life. These assessments have shown that primary pollinators and seed dispersers, including birds and bats, must be conserved to maintain and improve habitats in the forest.

The project's next phase will involve volunteers documenting the many bats and endemic and migratory bird species that inhabit the reserves. Volunteers will be responsible for documenting bird sightings, recording bird songs and bat calls, monitoring bat populations, and surveying forest tree species, particularly royal palms, which provide refuge, food, and habitat for wildlife. All data collected will help to provide a comprehensive view of these protected areas and infer how climate change may impact biodiversity in the future.