The Tsongo Valley, near the Bolivian capital La Paz, is known as the “heart” of the region. The high steep, rugged mountains are a series of well-preserved habitats that thrive on lush biodiversity.
It was in the cloud forests that researchers discovered the “Mountain Fer-de-Lance” viper, the “Bolivian flag snake” and the “Lilliputian frog”, as well as the famous jasmine and butterfly species.
“[In Zongo] The sounds you hear are from nature – all kinds of insects, frogs and birds calling, amazing quick sounds and layers of waterfalls. Everything is covered in dense layers of moss, jasmine and fern, ”Larson told CNN.
“We do not expect to find many new creatures and rediscover what is thought to be extinct.”
Poison Viper
The highly venomous mountain fer-de-lance viper has large dimples and heat-sensitive pits on its head to help it find prey. Unknown to science before, Larson says the Viper has been found elsewhere in the Andes since this voyage.
The flag snake of Bolivia got its name from its red, yellow and green colors, and was found in dense growth at the highest point of the mountain they studied.
Another discovery is that Larsen says it is one of the smallest waterfalls in the world. The aptly named Lilliputian frog is about 1 cm long. Due to its camouflage brown color and the tendency to hide in dense layers of moss and soil, it is almost impossible to detect.
“We followed their sound in the woods, but as you get closer to them, they become quieter, so it’s very hard to find it,” Larson says.
The valley of Tsongo grows with orchid flowers that vary in size, shape and color. The newly discovered Adar’s mouth orchid has cleverly mimicking parts that deceive in pollinating.
Although the findings are new to science, they are well known to local tribal communities. The newly discovered bamboo is regularly used by the tribes for construction materials and to make wind instruments.
Frog with devil eyes
The team identified new creatures and rediscovered four extinct creatures, including the mesmeric “Devil-Eyed Frog”, which is black with deep red eyes. It was last seen 20 years ago, before a hydroelectric dam was built on its habitat. After several attempts to locate the frog, the species was considered extinct.
“Because all of these other trips failed, we didn’t think we would do it [find it] When we found it, it was an epiphany, incredibly exciting. “
The Sathyar butterfly, last seen 98 years ago, was rediscovered in the development of the Tsongo Valley, trapped in a web containing the food source of its rotten fruit.
Forest corridors
Some of these animals are not found anywhere else in the world, and most of the region’s wildlife is adapting to the effects of climate change, Larson says. Many species that travel through forests up to the mountains move to higher ground in search of cooler conditions.
“If you don’t keep the corridors of the forest intact, there is no way for those animals and plants to move, and there is no way to fix those changing conditions,” Larson explains. “That’s why it’s important to protect places like Tsongo when facing climate change.”
This area is also important for the people living nearby as it is a wildlife sanctuary. Larson says locals rely on forests for construction materials, while Tsongo provides hydropower and water in La Paz and beyond.
Conservation International says the findings will pave the way for the region’s security and help inform sustainable development plans for the region.
“The importance of protecting the Tsongo Valley is clearer than ever,” La Paz Mayor Luis Revilla said in a statement. “As La Paz continues to grow, we will take care to protect nearby natural resources that are vital to our well-being.”