The traditional Quito Zoo begins a new phase as Wiwa Quito, the country’s first Wildlife Refuge Park. This institutional change aims to expand the impact of the rescue center, integrating conservation, education, and immersive experiences.
“If society and problems change, organizations that seek to do good must also evolve,” said Martín Bustamante, director of Wiwa Quito, during the official presentation.
Cultural Significance
The name Wiwa, which means “animal” in Kichwa, pays tribute to the Andean worldview that conceives the interdependence between humans, fauna, plants, mountains, and water.
This approach inspires a model of coexistence and respect for nature.
The Four Pillars of Evolution Towards Wiwa Quito
From Zoo to Refuge Park
- Reality: habitat of more than 3,000 m² for three spectacled bear cubs, including Sisa.
- Future: new habitats for threatened Andean fauna, expansion of enclosures for felines, and an enhanced veterinary hospital.
From Transmission to Experiential Learning
- Reality: house of nocturnal animals, traveling exhibitions like the Maripensario, and the program Wawas, Growing in Nature.
- Future: creation of a cultural and family recreation space.
From Protection to Conservation and Coexistence
- Reality: programs like “Let the uilli-uillis return” (Andean marsupial frog), community coexistence agreements, and ecological monitoring.
- Future: educational content focused on human-fauna relationships.
From a Park with Limits to One Without Borders
- Reality: 200-hectare reserve in the Andean Chocó, community science programs in rivers and streams, and urban experiences like “We Go to Nature.”
- Future: expansion of Wiwa’s impact nationwide.
Sisa and Her New Habitat
The project “A Habitat for Sisa” symbolizes the beginning of Wiwa Quito. More than a thousand people and institutions collaborated in the construction of a 3,000 m² space with native vegetation, climbing structures, resting areas, and aquatic zones. There, Sisa and two other bear cubs rescued in 2024 coexist.
Zoological Foundation of Ecuador
The Zoological Foundation of Ecuador, responsible for Wiwa Quito, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and conservation of wildlife. Since 1997, it has managed the Guayllabamba space, which attends to more than 1,000 animals a year and receives nearly 200,000 visitors.
With Wiwa Quito, Ecuador inaugurates a pioneering model of Refuge Park, integrating science, culture, and community.
This project seeks to establish itself as a regional benchmark in conservation and environmental education, demonstrating that institutional evolution can be key to addressing the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and the human-nature relationship.
