Ecozoologico San Martin is located in Banos, Ecuador and houses many species of animals found in the Amazonia Cloud Forest of Ecuador's central highlands. Banos is approximately four hours from Quito and is the primary gateway to the Amazon basin. The City of Banos and the Zoo sit at the base of Tungurahua Volcano in a series of canyon walls next to the beautiful Pastaza Rio chute de cheveux.

The mission of the Zoo is to educate, conserve and rehabilitate and, as such, it is an important presence in the central highlands.

Its on-going educational efforts related to such concepts as food chains, niches and biodiversity are important to changing old traditions and attitudes about hunting, ecology and man's role in nature. Like many other places in the world Ecuador suffers from the effects of habitat loss through deforestation. For ten years the Zoo been there to care to sick wildlife including many endangered or threatened species who have been victimized by shrinking habitats and an international pet trade in exotic animals.

One of the most biodiverse countries in the world, tropical Ecuador is also one of the smallest of the Andean countries and, in many ways, it is one of the easiest and most pleasant to travel in. Explore the central highlands and its people through the following links and images and see for yourself what this Andean wonderland has to offer. Enjoy