Protected Natural Areas in Tumbes

 

Mangoves of Tumbes National Sanctuary (Santuario Nacional los Manglares de Tumbes)

Location: On the coast of the northwest coast of Peru, Department of Tumbes, province Zarumilla.
Area: 2,972 hectares.
Creation: March 2nd, 1988.

 

Objective : To protect the mangrove forest, home to a diversity of aquatic invertebrates of economic importance. Protect wildlife species as endangered American crocodile.

 

The Mangroves of Tumbes National Sanctuary is located in the province of Zarumilla in the department of Tumbes. It covers an area of ​​2,972 hectares. This spectacular place located on the coast border with Ecuador is a unique place because it harbors the largest tract of mangrove in the country. That's why the value of this ecosystem is not only due to their biodiversity, but also to many human populations reap direct benefits through the extraction, sale and consumption of seafood products they make.

 

Biodiversity: The sanctuary is composed of a forest made up mainly by five species of mangrove trees and is spread over 2972 hectares. This ecosystem, particularly rich in wildlife, is home to species like the silky anteater, 14 mammal species, 34 crustaceans, dozens of snail species, 24 mollusks with shells, and more than 100 species of fish, there is an explotion of birdlife here, with up to 200 different local and migrating species visiting this area.

 

In addition, mangroves are potential and important areas for tourism, scientific research, developing public awareness campaigns and environmental education. When you visit the far north coast of Peru, it is inevitable to relate this fertile land with its culinary delights. That's why almost immediately jumps black scallops ceviche, shrimp or a crab dish.

 

And it is precisely these products that are in this room and are handled by local people to meet their basic demands. Both the mangrove crab (Ucides occidentalis), shrimp (Penaeus spp.) and black shell (Anadara tuberculosa) find protection in the Mangroves of Tumbes National Sanctuary.

 

Tourist Routes: The area of tourism and recreational use of the sanctuary is covered by the Zarumilla estuary, off the Camarones estuary, following the stream to the Matapalo estuary to La Envidia estuary, at the height of the sector's El Palmal. It has a total area of 137.5 ha (4.61% area) and she can visit and walk along the mangrove channels in canoes and / or kayaking, bird watching and appreciate the aquatic resource extraction activities (experiential tourism). In the checkpoint "El Algarrobo", located in the buffer zone of the protected area, is the Interpretation Center, whose visit is mandatory. In the buffer zone there is also a pedestrian tourist trail 60 meters in length called "El Oscuro" which is implemented in the heart of the swamp with material from the region, and two circuits for small boats visit:

  • Port 25 - channel Zarumilla - pool El Toro - Zarumilla channel - channel Paracas - Port 25.
  • Port 25 - channel Paracas - Zarumilla channel - Punta Capones - Zarumilla channel - channel Paracas - Port 25.

 

Access and Services: From Tumbes, reached by air or through regulate the North Pan-American Highway. The sanctuary is located a few 24 km north of the city of Tumbes, taking the route to the border with Ecuador. Numerous boats guided tours. We recommend bringing insect repellent and sunscreen, and inquire about the hours of sea change, especially if you want to camp. Length of Stay: A full day. It's easy to visit again because of its proximity to the city of Tumbes. You can also visit Puerto Pizarro, located 15 km from Tumbes, which is the only fishing port in the mangrove forest in the country. Also houses the Tumbes crocodile breeding center.

 

Mangoves of Tumbes Photo Gallery

 

Tumbes National Reserve (Reserva Nacional de Tumbes)

Location: In the provinces of Tumbes and Zarumilla, department of Tumbes.

Area: 19,266.72 hectares.

Created: July 7th, 2006.

 

Objective: To conserve and protect representative samples of the tropical Pacific, especially species of flora and fauna in danger of extinction like the bronze-winged parrot, the jaguar and the margay, among others. Tumbes National Reserve is located in the provinces of Zarumilla and Tumbes and has an area of 19,266.72 hectares. Next to Coto de Caza El Angolo and Cerros de Amotape National Park forms the Northwest Biosphere Reserve, designated in 1977 by UNESCO.

 

Tumbes National Reserve is home to a unique biological diversity and a large number of birds (270 species). In addition, home to the largest number of threatened species of birds than any other protected natural area in the country (14 species). It also records a large number of mammals (67 species) belonging to 55 genera and 22 families, of which bats are the most diverse (35 species).

 

Here you can see the full extent of the Pacific Tropical Forest, which is an ecosystem found only in the Tumbes National Reserve, which represents a continuation of the rain forest on the western slope of the Andes. This area differs greatly equatorial dry forest and developed evolutionarily almost undisturbed ensuring that biological diversity is unique.

 

Tumbes National Reserve has a geographical setting that brings complex interactions of atmospheric constituents (inland and marine) so it has different characteristics to the rest of the Peruvian coast. It also presents a marked topography with hills of flat to undulating configuration regularly on its territory closer to finding the limit opposite coast in the foothills of the massif Amotapes with steep slopes in some areas.

 

Despite its proximity to the city of Tumbes, the territories of Tumbes National Reserve have been relatively well preserved and that is why the scene of a unique natural beauty in the country. It's almost unimaginable how forests can feel so close to the sea. In that sense, the northern department is the perfect example. Walking through these forests confuses the visitor, as in many sectors is both the green you can think you are visiting an Amazonian forest. In addition, monkeys and parrots can be heard which increases the feeling.

 

Tourist Routes: Tumbes National Reserve has a number of unpaved roads. To enter by the north should start from Tumbes to San Juan de la Virgen and then to the village Matapalo through the towns of Miraflores and El Tutumo. You can also access from the town of Matapalo Zarumilla a road that runs parallel to the border with Ecuador. From Matapalo and El Tutumo and there are avenues of income to the El Caucho, El Limon, Cerro Bombas, and to the border checkpoints. Passing through the town of Pampas de Hospital there is a path that enters through the Angostura gorge. The southern and the eastern part of the Tumbes National Reserve bordering with Ecuador, where there are a number of accesses to the protected area. There are still no facilities for the visit, although it is intended to establish a tourism use area between sectors Cabo Inga and Zapallal with infrastructure and tourist trails to areas of forest and binational river Puyango - Tumbes. Moreover, it seeks to promote sport fishing, boating and bird watching.

 

Cerros de Amotape National Park (Parque Nacional Cerros de Amotape)

Location: Department of Tumbes and Piura
Area: 151.561 hectares.
Date Created: July 22, 1975.

 

It was established to protect the vast forests of the Cordillera de los Amotapes (Amotape Range) and adjacent valleys subject to intense extraction of forest species and valuable hardwoods like hualtaco and guayacán. Intangible conservation unit for the protection of equatorial dry forests. Also known as the "green desert" because throughout the year is dry and flourishes only rains in the summer months (January to March), causing a particular ecosystem. Located 90 km north of the city of Sullana (3 hours by car) and 129 km north of the city of Piura, to the village of El Papayo (checkpoint), gateway to the park in Piura area. The park is shared by the departments of Piura and Tumbes where it is easier to reach.

 

This area is recommended for birdwatchers, in the park is a large number of birds (about 400), of which 17 are threatened and 50 are endemic. Highlights include the White-winged Guan (Penelope albipennis), the Gray-backed Hawk (Leucopternis occidentalis), Gray-cheeked Parakeet (Brotogeris pyrrhopterus), the Blackish-headed Spinetail (Synallaxis tithys) and the Slaty Becard (Pachyramphus spodiurus).

Among the mammals are the howler monkey of Tumbes (Alouatta palliata), the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis), jaguar (Panthera onca) and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). Among the highlights reptiles crocodile of Tumbes (Crocodylus acutus), which is in danger of extinction.

Among the flora are: the endemic kapok (Ceiba trichistandra), the carob tree (Prosopis pallida), the Angolo (Pithecellobium multiflorum), guayacán (Tabebuia sp. ) and palo santo (holy wood) (Bursera graveolens), the latter two very prized for their commercial value.

 

Its territory presents variable altitudes ranging from 200 m.a.s.l. to 1.613 m.a.s.l., and a landscape characterized by hills and mountains of the range La Brea or Amotape. With an average annual temperature of 24°C, the equatorial dry forest, has a high biodiversity among which species of flora unique as the hualtaco (Loxopterilium husango), palo santo (Bursera graveolens), and in animals the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis), the jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Felis concolor) endangered species, the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga trydactila), the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), the gray deer, ocelot, red deer, the peccary, the Guayaquil squirrel, and more than 400 species of birds.

 

Among the most characteristic trees include the carob, hualtaco, charanes, sapodilla, guayacanes and pasallos. The wildlife is very rich in species representative of the tropical forest, arid zones and Andes Range.

 

The park is part of the Northwest Biosphere Reserve. Archeological sites of cultures Tumpis and Inca .

 

Climate: Dry and very warm with temperatures above 28°C. Rainy season between December and March that dramatically enhances the occasional phenomenon of El Niño. The ideal months to visit are from April to September.

 

Access and Services: There are several affirmed routes that go deep into the forest, starting from the cities of Piura and Tumbes, which is accessed by air or through the regular North Pan-American Highway. Recommend the use of 4x4 vehicles, the services of a local guide and supplied with water and food.

 

Length of Stay: We recommend three to four days, preferably evenly split between northern and southern sectors of the park.

 

The Northern Peru Birding Route

Few places on earth can match northern Peru for bird diversity. From the coast to the tropical lowlands the variety of ecosystems and birding destinations provides a near endless experience, which for most avid birders takes at least two trips to fully appreci-ate. The route traverses eight political departments from the coast, across the Andes and into the Amazon lowlands with: Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque and La Libertad along the coast, then moving east we find Cajamarca, Amazonas, San Martin and finally Loreto. These eight departments alone hold some 1,600 bird species; approximately 85% of Peru´s c.1,840 species. This impressive diversity is coupled with an outstand-ing 140 restricted-range species, from 10 endemic bird areas. Not surprisingly such diversity and endemism is due to a complex combination of climatic factors; with the El Niño and Humboldt ocean currents influencing the coast, and topographical features; the relatively low altitude Andes and inter-Andean valleys such as the Marañón, Utcubamba and Huan-cabamba, and not forge¢ing the mega-diverse tropical lowlands. However some 75 species are globally threatened (plus c.50 near-threatened species) and the route provides an interesting insight into many local conservation initiatives working to protect these birds. (Map of Northern Birding Route).

 

 

 

The equatorial dry forest
Dry forest is known as a natural formation typical of the northern coast of predominantly plant species adapted to harsh desert conditions the carob and ceibos common in the departments of Tumbes, Piura and Lambayeque, and vital for the survival of the inhabitants of this region, since they provide animal fodder, building materials, medical applications, liquor and food products. Its climate is hot and dry, with rainfall during the summer that allow the development of lush vegetation and unique. The dry forest extends from the edge of the sea to a distance of 100 to 150 km inland. The topography is generally flat, with extensive plains and low hills in coastal mountain ranges and small inland. This is the land of the ceibos bellies, which accumulate accumulate water in their thick trunks, and hardwood and fine, as hualtaco and guayacán. It is also home to the gray deer, fox coast, White-winged Guan and the anteater, animals that share the dry forest with large flocks of noisy parrots and parakeets of emerald red forehead.

 

 

 

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