Birdwatchers, campers
and eco-adventurers are welcome to visit Altos de Campana National
Park – 4.925 hectares of green forests and rolling hills located
in the western area of the province of Panama.
Altos de Campana is Panama's
first national park. It was created in 1966 to protect the Panama
Canal basin. The area is part of the eastern slope of the El Valle
de Anton volcano, and its past volcanic activity is clearly reflected
in its rugged terrain, which features spectacular cliffs and lava
fields, tors. From some of its hills, visitors can enjoy commanding
vistas of the Canal basin as well as Chame Point and bay.
The park harbors four
types of forest communities: humid tropical forest, very humid premontane
forest, very humid tropical forest and premontane rainforest. The
peak of Cerro Campana is considered a biogeographical island for
endemic species. Mosses, orchids, bromeliads and epiphytes grow,
there.
There are 39 mammal species,
one of the most numerous being the black-eared opossum (Didelphis
marsupialis). Also present are the endemic mouse species Liomys
adspersus coati (Nasua narica) , crab-eating raccoon (Procion cancrivorus),
two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmani) and three-toed sloth (Bradypus
variegates), Geoffroy's tamarin (Saguinus geoffroyi). Two-hundred
and sixty-seven bird species have been spotted at the park, of which
48 are migratory.
Altos de Campana also
boasts 62 species of amphibians and 86 types of reptiles --the largest
number in central Panama. The seven endemic species include the
rare frog Atelopuszeteki, which is found in a very small area of
the national park. The others are the salamander Bolitoglossa schizadactyla,
the caecilian Caecilia volcani, the gecko Anolis lionotus, the lizard
Morunasaurus grai, and the rare snakes Trimetopon barbouri. The
protected area is also home to the giant frog Leptodactylus pentadactylus,
the largest amphibian in Panama, the spiny toads Bufo coniferus
and Dendrobates minutus.
Location:
the park is located between the provinces of Panama and Coclé,
overlooking Chame Bay over the Pacific, 90 kilometers by road from
Panama City. To get there from Panama City, visitors need to get
on the Pan-American Highway and drive westward to the town of Capira,
which is only a few kilometers from the entrance of the park.
Facilities:
the park has administrative HQ and an excellent nature trail from
which, if you are patient, it is possible to see lots of animals.
The trail was constructed by the park management in conjunction
with Panama University. An interesting illustrated guidebook to
the park is available at the park's administrative offices.
Accommodation:
visitors are recommended to stay in Panama City as it is only about
90 minutes drive away.
For more information,
contact the ANAM offices in the park (tel 507 244-0092) or the ANAM
regional headquarters in Cocle (telephone 507 997-7538; fax 507
997-9077).
