26.08.09 Mishualli – Rio Napo

Mishualli – Rio Napo
Motorised longboats to Museum of Indigenous Animal Trapping and on to Amazonas Animal Reserve.

Methods of trapping animals are described to us by our guide Alex, whose parents still live in the jungle (he now lives in Tena, as he prefers the ‘partying’ in town). The indigenous jungle dwellers are not always that successful in catching animals although, funnily enough, with the advent of the gun, it has been made easier to a certain extent! Alex explained that their traditional attire, loincloths for men and virtually nothing for women, were abolished when the Spaniards arrived to impose their religion and beliefs. The tribespeople were thought of as wild and, true enough, historically they are meant to have de-capitated any intruders found on their territory.

The Amazonas Animal Reserve was founded by a Swiss lady in 1993 who believed in the conservation of endangered species through the rehabilitation of injured and mal-treated animals, and their re-integration into the wild. Sarah, our German zoo guide, was volunteering at the reserve as part of her gap year and she was keen to make us aware that, as tourists paying our way, we’re actively sustaining the sanctuary. She was also quite scathing of ignorant Ecuadorians who, through lack of knowledge of endangered species, hunt rare animals for eating at weddings and fiestas. I felt a little awkward as only two hours earlier we were practicing with a blow dart, a traditional weapon against animals. I asked Sarah whether the indigenous people are ‘permitted’ to hunt and she said they should be limited as a lot of the forest has been destroyed, and therefore there are less animals.

On the way back to the lodge, Greg and I opt for a more exhilirating ride on the back of the truck, while the others ride inside...wimps!