Cabrits National Park

Cabrits peninsula

Cabrits National Park is on a peninsula at the north end of the Caribbean island of Dominica, north of Portsmouth. The park protects tropical forest, coral reefs and wetlands. There are hiking trails and an English garrison called Fort Shirley. Cabrits National Park occupies 1,313 acres (531 ha) and was established in 1986.[1]

The word Cabrits means goat in Spanish, French and Portuguese, and is a reference to the animal that has been indigenous to Cabrits. Goats were introduced to the island by sailors, who set them free on the island to grow, so that there would be meat available when they returned.[2]

Fort Shirley

Fort Shirley was formerly a military outpost, a sterling example of its kind in the West Indies.[2] The British built it in the 18th century garrison to defend north Dominica. It was later abandoned, and after suffering for years, Dr. Lennox Honychurch began restoration in 1989.

A view from Fort Shirley
Antilles Racer (Alsophis antillensis)in the Cabrits National Park.

References

  1. ↑ Hailey, Adrian (2011). Conservation of Caribbean Island Herpetofaunas Volume 2: Regional Accounts of the West Indies. BRILL. p. 162. ISBN 9004194088.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Cabrits National Park (Fort Shirley)". Search Dominica. Retrieved 6 February 2013.

External links

Coordinates: 15°35′10″N 61°28′23″W / 15.586°N 61.473°W