Regina Barber

That's Tron Larson. He's an ecologist at Conservation International, a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Virginia. He says that this area in Peru straddles two preserves, the Altamira Protection Forest and the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area. And it's being deforested. It's also under threat of more deforestation.

That's Tron Larson. He's an ecologist at Conservation International, a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Virginia. He says that this area in Peru straddles two preserves, the Altamira Protection Forest and the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area. And it's being deforested. It's also under threat of more deforestation.

That's Tron Larson. He's an ecologist at Conservation International, a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Virginia. He says that this area in Peru straddles two preserves, the Altamira Protection Forest and the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area. And it's being deforested. It's also under threat of more deforestation.

Because all that lushness makes it a great place for growing major agricultural products like pineapples, coffee, and chocolate.

Because all that lushness makes it a great place for growing major agricultural products like pineapples, coffee, and chocolate.

Because all that lushness makes it a great place for growing major agricultural products like pineapples, coffee, and chocolate.

Trond and a team of 12 Peruvian scientists led a 38-day expedition into the area in the summer of 2022, guided by experts from the local indigenous tribe, the Awahun. And along the way, they set up data sensors to complete the survey. The goal was to create a management plan that benefits both the local people and the land, based on a survey of all the local plant and animal life.

Trond and a team of 12 Peruvian scientists led a 38-day expedition into the area in the summer of 2022, guided by experts from the local indigenous tribe, the Awahun. And along the way, they set up data sensors to complete the survey. The goal was to create a management plan that benefits both the local people and the land, based on a survey of all the local plant and animal life.

Trond and a team of 12 Peruvian scientists led a 38-day expedition into the area in the summer of 2022, guided by experts from the local indigenous tribe, the Awahun. And along the way, they set up data sensors to complete the survey. The goal was to create a management plan that benefits both the local people and the land, based on a survey of all the local plant and animal life.

And almost immediately, it became clear. There were a lot more critters out there than they thought.

And almost immediately, it became clear. There were a lot more critters out there than they thought.

And almost immediately, it became clear. There were a lot more critters out there than they thought.

This little bronze salamander climbing in the vegetation turned out to be more than just rare. It was completely new to science.

This little bronze salamander climbing in the vegetation turned out to be more than just rare. It was completely new to science.

This little bronze salamander climbing in the vegetation turned out to be more than just rare. It was completely new to science.

And they continued to make many more discoveries over the course of the expedition.

And they continued to make many more discoveries over the course of the expedition.

And they continued to make many more discoveries over the course of the expedition.

In all, the team recorded 2,046 species, 27 of which were previously unknown in the scientific world. Today on the show, preserving Peru. We take a look at the species the researchers found in the Altamayo and their importance to the Oahu who live there. Plus, my personal favorite, the blob-headed catfish. I'm Regina Barber, and you're listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.

In all, the team recorded 2,046 species, 27 of which were previously unknown in the scientific world. Today on the show, preserving Peru. We take a look at the species the researchers found in the Altamayo and their importance to the Oahu who live there. Plus, my personal favorite, the blob-headed catfish. I'm Regina Barber, and you're listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.