Description of the attraction
Manu National Park is located in the provinces of Paucartambo in the Cusco region and Manu in the province of Madre de Dios. It was established in 1968 as a national reserve, and since 1973 it has been a national park, the task of which is to protect the biodiversity and jungle landscape of southeast Peru, help in scientific research, as well as preserve the archaeological heritage of the region, protect the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples living in the park.
Manu National Park protects one of the most important regions of the planet in terms of biological diversity of flora and fauna. Its territory is crossed by cold highlands, the height of which exceeds 4000 m above sea level, dense Amazonian forests, many small streams and valleys with a complex system of rivers. Thanks to all this, various ecosystems are located on the territory of the park, which practically do not depend on humans.
Most of the park is indigenous territory. The ethnic groups of the Peruvian Amazon: Amahuaca, Mashko-Piro, Matchigenka, Harakmbut and Piro, who live in these forests and along the river banks. The Tayakome and Yomibato tribes live in the upper part of the Manu River. In the southwest of the park, there is a farmers' association known as Callanga. In addition, several indigenous tribes live in voluntary isolation in and around the park in the northwest sector.
The park is home to 160 species of mammals, more than 1000 species of birds (not migratory), about 140 species of amphibians, 50 species of snakes, 40 species of lizards, 6 species of turtles and alligators, and 2103 species of fish. Among the large mammals, you can see the jaguar, black tiger, tapir, South American deer, giant otter, capybara, arachnid monkey and capuchin monkey. There is also a very wide variety of insects in the park. More than 1300 species of butterflies, 136 species of dragonflies and more than 650 species of beetles are registered here.
In terms of flora, various records confirm that there are at least 162 families, 1191 genera and 4385 species. There are up to 250 varieties of trees per hectare. You can see cedar, chestnut, Brazilian Hevea and other varieties of trees and shrubs.
Since 1977, Manu National Park has had the status of a biosphere reserve, and since 1987 it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
