Deep in Ecuador’s cloud forest lies the Arlequín Reserve, a vital sanctuary established to safeguard the last known population of the critically endangered Mindo Harlequin Toad, a species rediscovered in 2019 after 30 years thought lost. The reserve, nestled at 2000–2100m above sea level, is home to an additional 14 animals species which are threatened with extinction. However, Arlequín is under threat from encroaching cattle ranching. For this reason, the Khamai Foundation has launched the Arlequín Reserve Emergency Fund to urgently expand the reserve, protect the toad’s entire riverside habitat, and help save the following number of animal species:

Toad icon

23

Amphibians

Lizard icon

18

Reptiles

Hummingbird icon

110

Birds

Bat icon

12

Mammals

Beetle icon

300

Beetles

Butterfly icon

150

Lepidopterans

Arlequín Reserve details

Description: A cloud forest sanctuary protecting at least 14 globally threatened amphibians and reptiles.

Biological importance: The reserve is renowned for protecting the only known surviving population of the Mindo Harlequin Toad (Atelopus mindoensis), a species once thought extinct.

Altitudinal range: 2000–2100 m.

Area: 5 hectares (12.3 acres)

Opening hours: Every day, with visits by prior reservation only.

How to get there? To get from Quito to Arlequin Reserve by car, it will take approximately 1 hour and 54 minutes, covering a distance of 83.6 km. The suggested route is via E28. You can find the route details here.

Wildlife of the reserve

The Arlequín Reserve is in the middle of the Key Biodiversity Area “Mindo and Western Slope of Pichincha Volcano.” As such, it is recognized as home to critical populations of the world’s threatened species. So far, 14 threatened species have been recorded in the reserve, including the once thought extinct Mindo Harlequin Toad (Atelopus mindoensis), the Blunt Hedgehog-Lizard (Echinosaura brachycephala), the Lynch’s Glassfrog (Centrolene lynchi), and the Moustached Antpitta (Grallaria alleni). The fauna is composed primarily of mid elevation cloud forest species, including iconic mammals such as the Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the Puma (Puma concolor), and the recently discovered Olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina).

Image of a Mindo Harlequin Toad (Atelopus mindoensis)
Image of a Plate-billed Mountain Toucan (Andigena laminirostris)
Image of a Bumpy Glassfrog (Centrolene heloderma)
Image of a Spiny Dwarf-Gecko (Lepidoblepharis conolepis)
Image of an Olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina)
Image of a Toucan Barbet (Semnornis ramphastinus)
Image of a Red-spotted Glassfrog (Nymphargus grandisonae)
Image of a Beryl-spangled Tanager (Tangara nigroviridis)
Image of a Flame-faced Tanager (Tangara parzudakii)
Image of a Lynch’s Glassfrog (Centrolene lynchi)
Image of an Executioner Clownfrog (Dendropsophus carnifex)
Image of a Masked Trogon (Trogon personatus)
Image of a Short-nosed Ground Snake (Atractus microrhynchus)
Image of a Gem Anole (Anolis gemmosus)
Image of a Mindo Harlequin Toad (Atelopus mindoensis)
Image of a Black-capped tanager (Stilpnia heinei)
Image of an Elegant Snail-eating Snake (Dipsas elegans)
Image of a Red-tailed Squirrel (Sciurus granatensis)
Image of a Pinocchio Rainfrog (Pristimantis appendiculatus)
Image of a Shape-shifting Rainfrog (Pristimantis mutabilis)
Image of a Cloud Forest Centipede-Snake (Tantilla fraseri)
Image of a Blue-winged Mountain Tanager (Anisognathus sumptuosus)
Image of a Golden-naped Tanager (Chalcothraupis ruficervix)
Image of an undescribed species of Lighbulb Lizard (genus Riama)
Image of an unidentified leaf-mimicking katydid of the genus Typophyllum
Image of an unidentified broad-nosed weevil of the genus Exorides
Image of an bromeliad spider of the genus Cupiennius

Supported by

Logo of Ceiba Foundation
Logo of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
Logo of the World Rainforest Fund
Logo of the Van Tienhoven Foundation
Logo of the Burgers’ Zoo
Logo of the Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund
Logo of Lacerta
Logo of the Quick Response Fund for Nature
Logo of Conservation Connect
Logo of the Roger Williams Park Zoo
Logo of BioDB