 Wildlife Conservation
Costa Rica once had splendid forest reserves and distinct animal
species on the earth. However, over a period of time, it has lost a
plenty of green vegetation belt, besides extinction of rare animal
species. A serious effort was made to conserve natural resources
and provide protection to wildlife that resulted in setting up of
national park system. The conservation system has won accolades
across the world.
The National Park System is aimed to protect 10.27 percent of a
land once compared to Eden, an extra 17 percent is reserved forest
zone, also known as "buffer zone" that provides wildlife refuge.
The National Conservation Areas System, better known as "SINAC"
protects more than 186 areas, besides 32 national parks, eight
biological reserves, 13 forest reserves and 51 wildlife
refuges.
National parks and Reserves
Costa Rica's National parks and Reserves are a matter of pride and
privilege, both to Costa Rican's and foreign travelers. These
national parks and reserves not only offer an ideal recluse, but
also protect the soil and watersheds. They are also a rich
sanctuary to approximately 75 percent of all Costa Rica's species
of flora and fauna, besides housing some of the rare species not to
be found elsewhere.
Costa Rica's natural legacy and bliss is protected and managed
by the authorities of respective national parks and reserves. These
areas harbor many species of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles,
fresh and salt water fish, besides a good number of vascular plant
species, which comprise 4 percent of the world's total floral and
faunal species.
 Major National Parks
Costa Rica's major national parks and wildlife sanctuaries include
Arenal National Park, Ballena National Park, Barra del Colorado
National Wildlife Refuge, Barra Honda National Park, Braulio
Carrillo National Park, Cabo Blanco Absolute National Reserve,
Cahuita National Park, Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge,
Carara National Park, Chirripó National Park Corcovado
National Park, Curú National Wildlife Refuge,
Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, Golfito National
Wildlife Refuge, Guanacaste National Park, Guayabo National
Monument, Hitoy-Cerere Biologic Reserve, Isla Bolaños National
Wildlife Refuge, Isla del Caño Biologic Reserve, besides
others.
Flora and Fauna
Costa Rica's forest reserves and wildlife is a sanctuary to rich
plant and animal species. Prime faunal categories include:
crocodile, tapir, west indian manatee, cayman, tarpon, magnificent
frigate bird, brown pelican, collared aracari, lineated woodpecker,
chestnut-mandibled toucan, red-lored amazon, sulphur winged
parakeet, ornate hawk and eagle. Floral species enlist evergreen
forests, savannahs, yellow cortez trees (Tabebuia ochracea),
mahogany (swietenia macrophylla), swamp kaway (platymiscium
parviflorum) and rosewood (dalbergia retusa).
|
Costa Rica National Parks
