Will They Drill in Yasuni National Park?
The world media are reporting that the government secured a $117 Million downpayment (well over the 100 million needed) before December 31st 2011 to protect Yasuni National Park from being drilled for oil. Firstly this is fantastic news
Yasuni ITT Initiative
Here is a translation of an interview with Roque Sevilla, the ex-president of the Yasuni ITT Commission who also helped draw up the borders of Yasuni National Park 32 years ago and. The Yasuni ITT initiative is a project that aims
Tribes of the Amazon
There are many ethnically distinct tribes in the Amazon Rainforest. Of these indigenous groups Ecuador has some of the most interesting that have fascinated anthropologists for decades for of their practice of Shamanism and Shrinking Heads. The three
Emilio Palacio and Ecuador Politics
For the last couple of weeks the news in Ecuador has been dominated by a court case that throws into doubt the future of freedom of expression in this small Andean nation. President Rafael Correa has sued the journalist
Canoa de Ecuador on New Years
Here are some photos off Dane from Melbournes camera first of the Animal Rescue Center and then on the coast at Canoa where we celebrated New Years Eve! Check out these photos of the Tapir, the largest land mammal in Latin
Political Unrest: President Kidnapped, Police fight Military
Yesterday there was an huge amount of political unrest in Ecuador that saw the country collapse into chaos. If you are worried then I can tell you with 100% certainty its all over now, order has been restored and its perfectly safe to travel. The unrest started when elements of the police force started nation wide strikes to protest against a new law passed on Wednesday that changed the way public servants are paid. President Rafael Correa tried to negotiate with the police at their headquarters in Quito yesterday morning to explain the new laws which to my understanding means they will lose a bonus that gives them $1,000 USD for every year they have worked in the force given to them on their 25th year as well as a bonus for any police decorations they may receive. In compensation the police and military will see their salary triple: a police officer that earned $450 in 2008 will now earn $1200. The compensation was not enough to stop the police protests however and as the President left the police headquarters after the failed negotiations a crowd surrounded him that turned violent as elements of the police fired teargas bombs at their own president. Correa was forced to flee to a military hospital which the police forces surrounded and kept him their against his will for twelve hours.
Rich Helping the Poor to Save Ecuadorian Amazon
Its been an interesting week in the news; first came the announcement that Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, the two richest men in America who have already given over half their money to philanthropy (notably the Bill and Melinda Gates
Street Kids, Car Thiefs, and Glue Sniffing
I witnessed a very sad sight last night. I had just arrived in Riobamba after spending 9 hours on a bus back and forth from quito to finally get my visa. On friday night Riobamba is always alive