Limoncocha Biological Reserve

General Information

• Area: 11.400 acres (4.613 ha)
• Date of Creation: September 23, 1985
• Altitude: 755 ft (230 m)

This reserve was established to protect Limoncocha and Yanacocha Lakes, and the nearby area. The importance of these lakes derives from the large population of black alligators and the great quantity of endemic birds found there. The reserve belongs to a marshy tropical forest life zone, with humidity normally above 80%. However, the area receives constant solar radiation, which raises temperatures above 85° F and lowers humidity to 50%. Some trees have developed leaves that bear the heat.

Flora and Fauna

There are various types of palm trees in the reserve, and among them are the usual ferns, mosses and lichens, vines and epiphytes: orchids and bromeliads. There are more than 460 bird species, and many of them are endemic to Limoncocha Lake, including various different parrots, macaws, herons, and certain families of vultures that help get rid of the rapid decomposing animals on the forest floor. There are 45 amphibian and 30 reptile species, the black alligator as most common. Among the mammals are the capibara, the tapir and the howling monkey.

Tourism

The fastest access to the reserve is the three-hour boat ride in Napo River from the city of Coca. However, one can also arrive by car coming from the cities of Coca or Nueva Loja, on roads that eventually join in the town of Shushufindi. There are local guides that can take visitors on canoe rides in the lakes, Limoncocha being the more scenic one and Yanacocha the one with the dangers of an anaconda or black alligator.