Diego Calderón Franco, a passionate bird enthusiast, has an incredible story. He was kidnapped by FARC, Colombia’s far-left guerrilla group, in 2004 and spent 88 days in captivity. Years later, in an unexpected twist, he set out to introduce his former captors to birdwatching. He believed this hobby could lead them to new, peaceful careers.
After FARC’s historic peace deal in 2016, many former fighters sought jobs. Calderón Franco thought they could become guides in Colombia’s rich biodiversity. He shared his love for birds, fostering connections and healing.
Colombia is a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to about 2,000 of the world’s 11,000 bird species. Its unique landscapes—from the Andes mountains to Amazonian jungles—help account for this diversity. Interestingly, decades of violence actually preserved some natural habitats by making parts of the country inaccessible to development.
Calderón Franco compares today’s birding guides to Victorian explorers who discovered new species. “You can still look at an isolated mountain and find something that no one else has seen,” he says.
A Turbulent Past
The conflict in Colombia dates back to the 1960s, when leftist groups formed guerrilla armies, including FARC and ELN. The Colombian government backed paramilitary groups, resulting in a cycle of violence. Over 450,000 lives were lost, with many casualties being civilians. Roughly 50,000 people were kidnapped during these years. Calderón Franco himself was abducted while birdwatching in northern Colombia—a reminder of his country’s troubled history.
A Path to Healing
Peace is still delicate in Colombia. While violent incidents occur, the allure of birdwatching is creating a thriving ecotourism industry. This new focus is helping the economy and providing jobs in areas that once knew only conflict. Calderón Franco started leading birding tours three years after his release, partnering with locals like Michelle Tapasco, who transformed her farm into the Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge.
Tapasco moved to her farm in the 1990s, seeking a safe haven from militia violence. After losing her partner to a FARC attack, she decided to stay and turn her property into a lodge for travelers, which has flourished as tourism has picked up.
Today, ex-FARC members like Marcos Guevara find new life through birding. He met Calderón Franco at a resettlement camp in 2019. “Birdwatching opened doors for us, not just for conservation, but also for making a living,” Guevara shares.
Why Birdwatching Matters
Birdwatching goes beyond just spotting different species. It serves as a tool for reconciliation in Colombia. Experts note that activities like birding can reduce stress and foster community ties, helping individuals move past trauma. Communities that engage in ecotourism create a shared purpose, turning a painful past into a hopeful future.
With Colombia’s biodiversity and renewed spirit, birdwatching is more than a hobby; it’s a pathway to healing and a chance for a brighter tomorrow.
For more insights on Colombia’s biodiversity, check out this report.
