Ozogoche LakesThe lakes where birds commit suicide

Ma. Denisse Tapia

Introduction

• These consist of a system of approximately 60 lakes of different shapes and sizes, located in the Achupallas area of the Alausi region.

They are deep, cold and have a dark blue and amazing waters

• The lagoons are located 36 kilometers east of Palmira and 20 kilometers south of Guamote, Chimborazo

The general characteristics of the lakes are:

– They are connected by straits– They has essentially the same water level in all parts– They does not have regular intrusion of sea water – The area measured at the mean water level exceeds

an arbitrarily chosen threshold

Special Features

• The contrast between the vegetation of the Amazon rainforest and the unique flora of Chimborazo, contributes to the creation of a great show for visitors.

• The vegetation found in these lakes include Andean flowers, moss and woody shrubs. And the typical animals, there are jaguars, tapirs, spectacled bears, deer and sheep.

• For this reason, there are trails that tourists can walk without a guide, but there are also more complicated that they need to go with an expert guide.

Main Activities

• Among the main activities that may be performed include: mountain biking, fishing, or camping excursions.

• But the most important is the observation of birds

"Cuvivíes" who in the first few days of September that an

unusual natural event takes place;

thousands of birds fall into the water in a form of mass

suicide. This phenomenon has been named ‘The Tribute’ by

the local indigenous populations.

According to one scientific theory trying to put sense to this mysterious natural phenomenon is that the birds that “commit suicide” by diving into the lake are older and weaker that are tired from their migratory journey and fall to their death into the lake after a change of air pressure above it.

Why do the birds “commit suicide” ?

The Quichua myth is more interesting, says that many years ago when the birds reached the Ozogoche Lakes they were accompanied by rain, thunder, lightning and a cold wind in the mountains so strong that it howled like wolves, scaring the indigenous god-devil Supay.

Then suddenly thousands of Cuvivis began falling from the sky crying a distinctive song of pain until they hit the freezing waters of the Ozogoche lakes in a mysterious tribute which they continue to do to this day

The festival has a series of activities: You can participate in the dances with the locals dressed in traditional clothing while bands play folkloric music.

The Festival of Ozogoche in September

There are also typical food at the festival like Guinea Pig and lots of strong “Puro” or Sugarcane Alcohol that the locals love to share at celebrations like this.

The great thing about the Festival is that the local council has taken great proportions to protect the environment during the festival to make sure the impact on the environment is as minimal as possible.

One of the big attraction in the park are the boulders which lie dispersed in the wetlands. Huge rocks, about 10meters high attract climbers

Interesting Facts

In Quechua, Ozogoche means “willing to eat meat”.

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