Women and children farmers from Corosha, in the Amazon, create various strategies to conserve the rainforest and the endangered species they live with.

 

 

A yellow-tailed woolly monkey, an endemic species of Peru, perches on a tree branch and leaps to another. Further on, an Andean bear sleeps in a cave and, upon waking, walks in search of water in the Private Conservation Area (ACP) of the Corosha peasant community, in the Amazonas department of Peru. Suddenly, the bear is shot dead. The video shows these two species that inhabit this tropical forest, although neither animal is real: the monkey is a small stuffed animal and the bear is actually a child in costume. This is a short film made by the children of the community, who, from their own perspective, seek to show how the illegal wildlife trade affects the biodiversity of their territory.

The short film also features the bear cub, desperately trying to survive after its mother is killed. The story takes a turn when another bear arrives to rescue it from a trafficker. In the nearly four minutes of the film, the despair felt by the children—aged 7 to 13—as they face the threat of their community's animals falling victim to illegal hunting is not only reflected, but also their playful mischief, as laughter and games intertwine in some scenes.

“The filming was really cool and a lot of fun,” says 11-year-old Gino Rossel Gonzales Goñas, whose favorite scene was the one they filmed inside a cave. “It was also really hard; we did it in five hours.” Rossel was the cameraman, and it was the first time he had ever used a camera. Through the documentary, they wanted to share the “natural wealth” that surrounds them and the endangered animals to raise awareness among more people. He was born in Corosha, so this area and its endemic animals are very important to him. “We are lucky to have these animals where we live.”

The rural community of Corosha has about 600 inhabitants and is located in a transition zone between the Andes and the Amazon. Known as a tropical forest or cloud forest , it sits at approximately 2,000 meters above sea level. It is a hotspot of biodiversity, boasting a record number of bird and amphibian species, including the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, the Andean bear, and the spatuletail hummingbird, among others. Furthermore, it has a water reserve that supplies the community and surrounding villages.

Therefore, in 2001, the community members organized themselves to conserve their land, and in 2011—with the support of the Yunkawasi Association, which works for the conservation, management, and governance of the territory—they created the Hierba Buena-Allpayacu Private Conservation Area (ACP), managed by the community itself, encompassing 2,000 hectares. Then, in 2017, some members founded the Oso Dorado Association to channel and make conservation work in the area viable. Fanny Cornejo, executive director of Yunkawasi, explains: “We wanted to form an association within the community itself so they could join forces and develop leadership, so they could be leaders of their territory and their income.” Now, Oso Dorado is also an association led entirely by women .

The documentary made by the children of the Beirut community is part of the many activities promoted by the association. Oso Dorado has become a leading example of community conservation in Peru and other Latin American countries, having taken ownership of its projects and independently managed its own funds over the years. Its work focuses on protecting flora and fauna, strengthening women's leadership, and promoting sustainable businesses—such as ecotourism and purpose-driven crafts. Since 2022, the association has been addressing the problem of illegal wildlife trafficking. One of its initiatives has been raising awareness among transportation companies and drivers through informational talks and agreements that bring together private companies, the government, and the association itself.

Rosmeli Ramos, president of the Golden Bear association, says that when they started they had 15 members; now they have 30—26 of whom are women. “We were born in the forests and we don’t want them to disappear; we do this for our children,” she says. But aside from all the conservation efforts they’ve had—such as protecting water resources, caring for endemic species, and controlling forest fires—an important achievement for her is the empowerment they’ve brought to the women in the community.

The women protecting the ACP and the yellow-tailed woolly monkey have fought against everything, especially against the resistance of men. Many husbands forbade them from attending Golden Bear meetings because they said it was a waste of time, and some of the community leaders tried to obstruct their work at all costs. Ramos recalls: “Before, I stayed home, but now I go out, we work, and we even speak out in public. We women overcame everything and moved forward.” Without their work, she says, the entire forest would be destroyed, and the animals wouldn't be able to live there. Even so, Cornejo explains, the protected hectares “are very significant, but on their own, they are insufficient,” since “they are like an island” in the area.

This female prominence also extended to one of the audiovisual projects. Along with Yunkawasi and Oso Dorado, Cinesia, a production company in Amazonas, worked on the project, teaching the young people participatory filmmaking methodology and technical aspects in five sessions. The second video was the documentary * Before I Leave, I'd Like to Call You Mother* , directed by 15-year-old Iris Juárez Huachapa, who decided to tell her mother's story and the work she does every day. "Mothers face enormous challenges and difficulties, often invisible to others," she says. "My mother works in agriculture and as a tour guide; she works hard. I decided to make the documentary to show housework as just as demanding as any other job," she explains.

Once the short films were recorded, the kids held their "grand premiere," Ramos recounts. They sold tickets for one sol (0.25 euros), which included popcorn and gelatin. They announced the day and time over the loudspeaker and invited all the parents and adults in the community. It was a success. A large part of the community attended, and one of Oso Dorado's goals was achieved: to get more parents involved in the association thanks to their children's interest.

 

Francesca Raffo

Lima - 09 FEB 2026 -