Duolingo Spanish Podcast Climate Heroes - Protecting Bears in Bolivia - Revisited
Dec 7, 2023
Bolivian scientist studies critically endangered bears in Bolivia, highlighting how helping the bears protects livelihood and the forest against climate change. Topics include searching for Indian bears amid challenges of droughts and climate change, profiting from beekeeping as a sustainable solution for humans and animals, protecting bees and harvesting honey, and the successful efforts of the Valle de Oseco's project in protecting bears and their habitat in Bolivia.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
First Encounter That Sparked A Career
- Jimena Velez-Liendo first saw an Andean bear in 1996 while finishing her biology degree and fell in love with the species.
- That early encounter launched her long-term commitment to study and protect the bears in Bolivia.
Climate Change Drives Habitat Loss
- Jimena found only about 3,000 Andean bears remain in Bolivia, roughly half the population from a century ago.
- Climate-change-driven droughts are destroying bear habitat and pushing bears into conflict with farmers.
Finding Signs In Tarija's Dry Forest
- While researching in Tarija's dry forest, Jimena learned the ecosystem had shrunk to 10% of its historical size and bears were forced to seek food on farms.
- A rancher in the region reported and later admitted killing a bear to protect his cattle, a sign bears still existed but faced lethal conflict.