In Morona Santiago, Ecuador, the Tsapau Association rescues and breeds native stingless bees…

In Morona Santiago, Ecuador, the Tsapau Association rescues and breeds native stingless bees to protect them from deforestation and agrochemicals. Their efforts also support pollination and the crops of the Shuar people.

The tiny native stingless bees lack stingers and venom but face two major threats: deforestation and agrochemical use, which reduce their habitat and food sources. In San Luis de Inimkis, Sevilla Don Bosco canton, 18 members of the Tsapau Association work to prevent their disappearance. They have turned their Shuar cultivation areas into refuges, managing 110 hives across nine meliponaries—specialized spaces for breeding and protection. Since 2024, they have been rescuing and reproducing these small pollinators.