El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve is a protected natural area in the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range of Chiapas in southern Mexico. It protects several distinct ecosystems, including the largest mountain cloud forest in Mexico. These cloud forests attract nature lovers, particularly birdwatchers who come for the 300+ species of bird found there, including the respelendant quetzal and the horned guan.
Understand
[edit]The reserve is administered for the federal government by the Comision Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP). The reserve is quite large, covering an area of 119,177 hectares. October to May is the best time of year to visit.
History
[edit]The reserve began life as a Chiapas state park and was designated as a biosphere reserve in 1990. Three years later, it was designated as an international biosphere and joined the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Landscape
[edit]The park is situated in the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range. The park is mountainous with steep elevation changes and mountain peaks that are constantly enveloped in mists. Dense foliage covers the mountain slopes with tropical forests in the valley lowlands.
Flora and fauna
[edit]
The reserve is home to more than 300 species of birds, and several dozen jungle-dwelling mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The most endemic species is the horned guan (Oreophasis derbianus), an endangered species that has no related subspecies and that can only be found in a small region of southern Mexico and northern Guatemala. El Triunfo is the only protected area where the horned guan is found, making it one of the birdwatchers' most prized sightings. Another prized bird sighting is the resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) which is also found in several cloud forests and tropical jungles in Mexico and Central America.
112 mammal species live in the reserve. The most elusive mammal is the jaguar (Panthera onca), the most persuasive is the coati (Nasua narica) who will suddenly appear when you open your tastiest snack. Central American tapirs (Tapirella bairdii) are found throughout the park, as are various monkeys and deer.
The reserve is also home to 63 reptile species and 22 amphibians, including the Xolocalca Bromeliad Salamander (Dendrotriton xolocalcae), which gets its name from a mountain whose forested slopes are home to most of its species. The threatened salamander is endemic to the area but threatened by habitat loss as logging, farming, and even mining destroy habitat.
About 590 butterfly species have been cataloged in the park.
Climate
[edit]The climate is wet with high humidity and frequent rains, particularly in the months between June and September.
Get in
[edit]The nearest airport with scheduled commercial flights is Tuxtla Gutierrez International Airport in Tuxtla Gutierrez.
By bus
[edit]Autobuses AEXA] operates hourly buses from Tuxtla Gutierrez to the nearby town of Escuintla.
Fees and permits
[edit]Access to the reserve is strictly controlled. Permits are required from CONANP and daily visitor limits are enforced.
The entry fee is M$215 per person, per day. Students and teachers may receive a 50% discount. Free entry is offered to children under 12 and senior citizens. Appropriate credentials are required for free or discounted entry.
Contact CONANP:
- Phone: +52 992 636 9289
- Email: [email protected]
Get around
[edit]Most visitors come with tour guides who are allowed to operate vans or other vehicles on the park roads. Visitors are generally expected to walk the parks many trails, some with interpretive signage (in Spanish).
See
[edit]Do
[edit]- hike
- birdwatch
- hike some more
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Lodging
[edit]Camping
[edit]Camping is allowed in the park.