Environmentalist creates sanctuary to protect hummingbirds in central Mexico

The ‘Hummingbird Sanctuary’, a refuge that houses 27 different varieties of this bird, opened in Puebla, state of central Mexicoto protect this animal from dangers that he faces.

The center, located in the community of San Francisco La Unión, can prevent this species from being poached, as Ángel Díaz, creator of the center, explained to EFE this Tuesday. Hummingbird Picnic Foundationa bird endemic to America that is key to some of the beliefs of the native peoples of Mexico.

The activist stated that after returning from USAwhere he lived as a migrant, invested in the sanctuary, because since he was a child he admired and listened to the birds when he went to collect firewood or play on the hill.

“To the emigrating to another land, to another country, having walked through the desert three times with my family, with my children, being there in other lands, with other customs, other traditions, you begin to value the people, your family, and Now that we return, it is also a wonderful life to be able to be here in contact with the birds and the nature“, he explained.

To create the sanctuary, the environmentalist installed 30 drinkers and planted flowers that help these birds drink natural nectar during all seasons of the year.

In this cold season, Díaz goes up to the sanctuary every day to sow seeds of brightly colored and tubular plants that are the favorites of these beings, as well as flowers that resist all the elements. weather changes.

“Since I was a child I have always loved them because we would go gather beans and peas and there we would see them, their colors are impressive, it is something wonderful to see this type of birds and makes a lot of impression. And seeing the amount of hummingbirds I was born to cultivate and preserve the species”, he recounted.

Díaz said that 27 different varieties of these birds arrive at the place, considered a spiritual animal in some mexican cultures.

Based on the indigenous worldview, the activist explained that they are good luck and messengers of the souls of people who left the earthly plane.

“On the American continent we have 357 species. In our republic we have between 47 and 58 species and here in Puebla fortunately we have between 20 and 27 different species”, he detailed.

He emphasized that this sacred place does not allow the arrival of people dedicated to witchcraft or the Santeria, which are their main predators.

“We are here to preserve them, they are not for sale and it is not a place to do any type of work that damages them”Díaz remarked.

Díaz said that this project will have a tourist space, since a few meters away the construction of a hotel with 12 rooms began so that visitors have contact with nature and know the importance of preserving the hummingbirds.