At Chingaza National Nature Park (CNNP), just outside of Bogotá, Colombia, conservationists have been working on preserving the delicate ecosystems for many years. In their decades-long effort to protect the endangered species inhabiting the high-altitude park, researchers have been looking for signs of success — and one recent video of a rare baby playing gave them the exact assurance they needed.
The video, taken by CNNP ranger Arley Muñoz, follows an Andean bear cub during an energetic bout of the zoomies. His hyperactive behavior, including climbing to the top of a frailejón tree and playfully plummeting to the ground a few seconds later before running around some more, was unlike Muñoz had seen in his five years on the job.
“[He] is the most playful bear I have seen within the protected area,” Muñoz said in an interview with Noticias Caracol. “The way [he] behaves, let’s say that this was a wonderful encounter, which, so far, has set a standard in the topics of sightings.”
You can watch the bear play here:
¡Increíble avistamiento en Chingaza! 🌿🐻 Nuestro guardaparque Arley Muñoz capturó en video a una cría de oso andino. Este avistamiento es un claro indicador de los excelentes resultados de nuestras estrategias de conservación. pic.twitter.com/v2CtMrux2A
— Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia (@ParquesColombia) November 26, 2024
Watching the bear club run freely around CNNP warmed Muñoz’s heart and assured him that all the work he and his colleagues are doing to save the park is paying off.
“When resources are available, the bears come out to eat … so that’s why we started to see these individuals playing in the frailejónes,” Muñoz said.
The Andean bear, the only bear species in Colombia, is an essential part of CNNP’s ecosystem. By snacking on plants like the frailejón trees, they unknowingly disperse seeds around the park, planting vital flora that will eventually provide more water and cleaner air.
Getty Images/Andyd
There’s no question that the professionals responsible for the park’s overall health are relieved to see this little bear contributing to the ecosystem. And it’s even better that he’s having fun while doing it.
“These sightings are important, as this shows that the protected area has a very high state of conservation,” Muñoz said. “It should be noted that CNNP is on the green list, a very high standard of conservation that not everyone can meet.”