Endangered Species of Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a tropical mountainous country that is part of the Central American Isthmus, making Costa Rica a land bridge between the two great continents of the Americas. This land bridge sees migrations from north to south and vice versa. Costa Rica contains both tropical and subtropical climates with an array of varied geographical landscapes and eco-habitats. 16 microclimatic zones in Costa Rica provide numerous unique habitat zones.
This territory is only approximately 0.1% of the world’s landmass and contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity – a stunning selection of exotic wildlife with an estimated 500,000+ species. Costa Rica has 26 National Parks and several reserves, refuges, and sanctuaries, which cover more than 25% of Costa Rica’s total landmass.
Costa Rica is a tropical mountainous country that is part of the Central American Isthmus, making Costa Rica a land bridge between the two great continents of the Americas. This land bridge sees migrations from north to south and vice versa. Costa Rica contains both tropical and subtropical climates with an array of varied geographical landscapes and eco-habitats. 16 microclimatic zones in Costa Rica provide numerous unique habitat zones.
Endangered Species Lists
Different governmental bodies and NGOs keep different endangered species lists; there is not a single official list but a multitude. Earth’s Endangered Creatures (EEC link below) lists global endangered plants and animals currently threatened with extinction. According to the EEC, 221 total endangered species are listed specifically in Costa Rica. (http://www.earthsendangered.com/)
Jaguars, Tapirs, and the Squirrel Monkey are some rare and unique mammals that have landed on the endangered species list of Costa Rica. These species can only be found in the deep, remote, and untouched tropical forests of Costa Rica.
Jaguars’ top most endangered lists in North, Central, and South America.
With its camouflage coat, the jaguar can move through the jungle like a ghost, earning it a mythic status among indigenous peoples throughout its range. The jaguar moves freely and silently in the jungle underbrush or high in the canopy but can most commonly be seen along the edges of rivers – you cannot sneak up on or surprise one of these deep jungle apex predators. According to many indigenous people, the Jaguar only appears when he wants to be seen.
The name jaguar comes from an Amazonian word, yagura meaning “beast.” A more specific word for jaguar is yaguareté, the suffix -eté meaning “true,” so a translation would be “true beast.” Jaguars (Panthera onca) is the third largest feline species and the only panther species in the Americas. The largest of Central American carnivores, the jaguar, is rarely seen due to declining populations and habitat loss. There are only an estimated 14,000 wild jaguars remaining in Latin America. The jaguar’s range extends from the Southwestern United States to northern Argentina.
Although the pristine habitat of Costa Rica’s Corcovado national park is ideal, the number of jaguars in the region was only 40-50 (based on a 2004 report). Recent estimates indicate an improvement because of the work being done to preserve animal corridors.
Another area for spotting jaguars but less known than Corcovado is in the northern region around the Tenorio Volcano National Park. Home to the famous aqua blue river, Rio Celeste, this area around the small town of Bijagua is flanked on one side by the Tenorio Volcano and Miravalles Volcano on the other side. It so offers a large swath of protected jungle habitat where jaguar and puma sightings are reported.
Habitats and Corridors for Endangered Species
Several wildlife sanctuaries in Costa Rica, like Corcovado National Park, Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, Carara National Park, and the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Reserve, protect critical habitats. These parks and sanctuaries do allow tourists into the protected areas. In most cases, these tours require registered guides, and the number of entries is limited, often requiring an entry permit to protect the habitat and species living there. Some rare and endangered species in these reserves and sanctuaries include the Scarlet Macaws, Coyotes, Anteaters, Otters, Collared Peccary, Ocelots, Pumas, and Margay Cats.
Costa Rica has seen several corridor protection programs in recent years. These corridors are critical for the ongoing protection of endangered species allowing migration movements and range extension. Without these corridors, many species become cut off in isolated pockets, which leads to extinction.
How hard is it to spot a jaguar?
Hard! Although, as an interesting fact, in certain protected areas (National Parks) such as Tortuguero and Corcovado, they have been more visible as poachers and hunters have disappeared. So, if incredibly lucky… you may see it swimming across a canal in Tortuguero or walking on the beach in Corcovado.
Source: The Costa Rica News (TCRN)Costa Rica, while only approximately 0.1% of the world’s landmass, contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity – a stunning selection of exotic wildlife with an estimated 500,000+ species. Costa Rica has 26 National Parks and several reserves, refuges, and sanctuaries, covering more than 25% of Costa Rica’s total landmass.