Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve
| Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve | |
|---|---|
|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
|
Humboldt penguins on Choros island, Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve, Chile. | |
  Location within Chile | |
| Location | Coquimbo Region, Chile |
| Coordinates | 29°15′07″S 71°32′20″W / 29.252°S 71.539°WCoordinates: 29°15′07″S 71°32′20″W / 29.252°S 71.539°W[1] |
| Area | 859.3 hectares (2,123 acres) |
| Website | |
Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve is a nature reserve located a short distance off the coast of mainland Chile. It consists of three islands: Chañaral, Damas and Choros. It is located about 100 km (62 mi) north of La Serena in the Coquimbo Region of Chile and has a total area of 859.3 hectares (2,123 acres). The reserve is an important breeding site for the Humboldt penguin, for which it is named, and is a habitat for sea lions and bottlenose dolphins chunchungos, Magellanic penguin, sea turtle, whale, albatross and cormorant.
The park is located in both Region III and Region IV of Chile. The reserve includes the Aceituno de Chañaral Island (third region) and Damas and Choros Islands (fourth region).[2]
It is part of the Sistema Nacional de Áreas Silvestres Protegidas del Estado de Chile (National System of Protected Areas of the State of Chile), administered by the Corporación Nacional Forestal (National Forest Service, Conaf).
Access routes
From La Serena, Chile advance on the road 75 km. to the turnoff leading to the village of Los Choros. From here, walk 45 km. by dirt road, which in its last 5 km. going through a difficult transition dune.[3]
Registration
National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) registration is required at Punta de Choros. The next step is to hire one of the boats going out to the reserve's main attractions, Isla Damas, Isla Choros and Isla Chañaral.[4]
Choros Island
Punta de Choros is an emerging fisherman's town with restaurants, cabins and hotels.
Damas Island
Damas Island measures 60.3 hectares and much of its charm lies in its Caribbean style beaches. However, the water is fairly cold due to the Humboldt current.[5]
Damas Island is the only place that has camping and picnicking facilities and to get there you have to contract the services of fishermen in the vicinity of Punta de Choros cove.[6]
Climate
The climate is considered semiarid because it is arid by the north and mild by the south. The shore temperatures are homogeneous, meanwhile in the interior the temperature oscillates between day and night time. Rain during winter season.[7]
Admission
Entrance is $1600 Chilean pesos for adults, and $600 Chilean pesos for kids.[8]
References
- ↑ "Pingüino De Humboldt National Reserve". protectedplanet.net.
- ↑ http://www.visitchile.com/en/humbold-penguin-national-reserve/
- ↑ http://www.rutaschile.com/eng/men1/Atractivos.php?n=Pinguino-de-Humboldt-Isla-de-damas.php&d=
- ↑ http://www.thisischile.cl/Article.aspx?id=866&sec=225&eje=&t=humboldt-penguin-national-reserve&idioma=2
- ↑ http://www.thisischile.cl/Article.aspx?id=866&sec=225&eje=&t=humboldt-penguin-national-reserve&idioma=2
- ↑ http://www.gochile.cl/en/national-parks/reserves/pinguino-de-humboldt.html
- ↑ http://www.visitchile.com/en/humbold-penguin-national-reserve/
- ↑ http://www.visitchile.com/en/humbold-penguin-national-reserve/
External links
- Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve page at Conaf
- 360° panoramas of Damas and Choros islands (Requires QuickTimePlayer)
- Scientific Study on the Humboldt Penguins|Scientific Study on the Humboldt Penguins
