New national park created in Colombia’s Amazon

Santiago de Cali, Colombia – The Colombian government has announced the creation of a new national park, adding to further protection of the Amazon.

The Serranía de los Churumbelos Auka Wasi National Park, covering 97,180ha, is part of a corridor stretching from the lowlands of the Amazon Basin to the slopes of the Andean Mountains.

“The new park significantly increases the network of protected areas that are so important for the conservation of Andean and Amazon ecosystems,” said Luis Germán Naranjo, WWF-Colombia’s Ecoregional Conservation Director.

The park’s area is home to abundant wildlife, including the Andean bear, jaguar, tapir and puma, as well as some 30 species of amphibians, 16 species of reptiles, more than 140 species of butterflies, and 825 species of plants. And it is home to 461 bird species, almost one-fourth of all bird species found in the country.

Territories and sacred areas of several indigenous communities living in the new protected area, such as the Inga and Yanaconas, will also be protected.

“Our work with the Colombian parks authorities will boost activities to preserve the Amazon Basin at local, regional, national and international levels,” stressed Naranjo.

WWF participated in the process that led to the declaration of the new park and will help implement the management plan, which includes the promotion of conservation and sustainable development in and around the park.