The first Conservation Concession in Peru and the world
Navigating along the Los Amigos River.
Photo: ACCA
Protecting ecosystems
The Los Amigos Conservation Concession is a living laboratory that hosts a great diversity of wild flora and fauna species. Here we implement innovative technologies, such as our satellite image-based application to detect selective logging, a major breakthrough for the Amazon rainforest conservation. For more information about the Conservation Technology HUB at Los Amigos, click here
We are strategically located at a point that connects and frames different aspects of the region, giving us a unique perspective on conservation and sustainability.
Located in the heart of Madre de Dios, at the confluence of the Madre de Dios and Los Amigos rivers, the Los Amigos Conservation Concession (CCLA) is just 3 hours from the city of Puerto Maldonado. Its strategic position stands out for bordering Manu National Park, the Madre de Dios Territorial Reserve, the Amarakaeri Indigenous Communities, and surrounding economic activities, including other Madre de Dios concessions and the mining corridor.
Discover the biodiversity it protects
The Los Amigos Conservation Concession is the first private conservation concession in Peru. Established in July 2001 under the new Forestry and Wildlife Law, it covers more than 145,000 hectares in the Los Amigos river basin, between the provinces of Manu and Tambopata, in Madre de Dios.
Since its creation, the Concession has been under our administration. During this time, we have carried out control and surveillance activities, as well as significant research. These studies have led to the identification of 174 species of mammals, including the jaguar (the largest cat in America), the giant otter, two species of wild dogs, and up to 11 species of monkeys. Thanks to this diversity, the area is recognized for having the greatest variety of monkey species in the southern Peruvian Amazon.
Additionally, we have identified 617 species of birds, including the Harpy Eagle and the Bat Hawk;6 species of macaws, the Hoatzin (Shansho); 91 species of reptiles such as the green anaconda, black caiman, and taricaya; 94 species of amphibians; 61 species of fish; 424 species of insects; 116 species of fungi; and more of 2,000 species of vascular plants. It is important to note that these numbers represent species described by scientists to date, and many more remain to be discovered, especially among insects.
Likewise, it has been possible to estimate – using the methodology of Asner et al. (2014) – that the Amazon forest protected by the Los Amigos Conservation Concession can absorb approximately 57 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in its biomass. This figure is nearly equivalent to the annual emissions generated by Peru’s energy and transportation sector, which total 58 million tons of CO₂ according to the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory of Peru (2016).
In addition to its richness in biodiversity and ability to counteract greenhouse gas emissions, the concession serves as a last line of defense for Indigenous Peoples Isolation and Initial Contact (PIACI), such as the Mashco-Piro, who maintain a nomadic lifestyle and are highly vulnerable to diseases transmission and the loss of their territory and resources they depend on for survival.
The Los Amigos Conservation Concession has dedicated forest guardians known as conservation promoters, who possess deep knowledge of both the ecosystem and the relationship between nature and the ancestral inhabitants of the Amazon. They are also well-versed in Peruvian legislation and play a crucial role as forest protectors. Over time, they have strengthened their technological skills, demonstrating their commitment to protecting the forest through continuous training.
The Concession plays a key role in addressing the different threats facing the Amazon today.We have consolidated a comprehensive control and surveillance model backed by more than 20 years of experience in ecosystem protection. This model combines field interventions, cutting-edge technology and high-resolution satellite imagery to identify threats in real time. This integrated approach enables early detection of illegal activities and rapid, effective response, achieving zero deforestation within the concession.
This achievement has been made possible thanks to the commitment of our promoters and coordinated work with Indigenous authorities and representatives to strengthen conservation actions and address threats efficiently. It is also supported by the financial support of strategic allies, who share our vision of protecting the Amazon and actively contribute to our conservation initiatives.
The Los Amigos Conservation Concession (CCLA) is included in Protected Planet's Global Database on Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OMEC), meaning that all studies, initiatives, and statistics generated within our concession contribute to global conservation benchmarks.
Comprising nearly 146,000 hectares, “Los Amigos” is the first Conservation Concession in Peru and the world and one of the first in the country to receive OECM recognition. This was achieved thanks to the important work of the Ministry of the Environment in alliance with the Forest and Wildlife Resources Supervision Agency (OSINFOR), ensuring alignment with criteria that enabled Peru to obtain this recognition.
We thank all the allies and partners who have supported the effective protection of “Los Amigos”. In doing so, Conservación Amazónica – ACCA, reaffirms its commitment to continuing to protect the Peruvian Amazon.
LOS AMIGOS CONSERVATION CONCESSION
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