Twibber Enjoys Chocolate Treat as Add On to Ocelot and Howler Protection

My recent journey through Ecuador led me to Mompiche, a remote fisher and surfer village on the Pacific Coast, flanked by the Chocó rainforest, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.

To help protect this natural haven endangered by logging, palm oil plantations and livestock farming, ecologist João Queiroz has initiated the Howler Foundation.

To maintain the ecosystem and habitat for wild animals like the Ocelot or the Howler, and the variety of bird species endemic to this region, João acquired 10 hectares of rainforest.

The major part is used for conservation, e.g through reforestation, while 2.5 hectares are dedicated to ecologically sustainable “Criollo” (meaning “native”) cocoa plantation. The harvest is processed on site and then turned into fine chocolate, handcrafted by João’s friends at Casa Banana – the associated beachfront eco-accommodation. The goal is to extend the conservation area and use the land for both eco-tourism and as a field research area for university students.