Cusuco National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cusuco National Park |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Sign welcoming visitors to Cusuco National Park
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 Cusuco National Park
Location in Honduras
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| Location | Honduras |
| Area | 234.4 km2 (90.5 sq mi) |
| Established | 1959 |
Cusuco National Park is a special protected area in Honduras. It was created on January 1, 1959. This park covers a large area of about 234.4 square kilometers (or 90.5 square miles).
The park is located in the Merendon mountains in northwest Honduras. It stretches from near sea level up to 2,425 meters (about 7,956 feet) high. Cusuco National Park has a main "core zone" where nature is most protected. This core zone is surrounded by a "buffer zone." The buffer zone helps protect the core by managing how people use the land nearby.
Contents
Discover Cusuco National Park: A Natural Treasure
Cusuco National Park is a truly amazing place for nature. It's known for its incredible variety of plants and animals. The park has many different types of forests. You can find dry pine forests, moist pine forests, and lush broadleaf forests. There's even a rare "dwarf forest" (called bosque enano) high up in the mountains. This dwarf forest has unique, small trees and plants.
Why Cusuco is So Important
Cusuco National Park is part of a special region called the Meso-American biodiversity hotspot. This means it's one of the most important places on Earth for different kinds of life. The park has many different habitats. This helps many different species live there.
Amazing Animals and Plants
The park protects many animals and plants that are globally threatened. This means they are in danger of disappearing forever. Some of the special creatures you might find include:
- Amphibians: Many unique frogs and salamanders live here.
- Baird's Tapir: This large, shy mammal looks a bit like a pig with a short trunk.
- Montane Forest Birds: Many special birds that live only in mountain forests call Cusuco home.
- Jewel Scarab Beetles: These beetles are known for their beautiful, shiny colors.
The rare dwarf forest is also a key feature. It's home to a special plant called Randia brachysiphon.
A Key Area for Wildlife
Cusuco is recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). This is because several types of threatened amphibians live here. Their homes overlap within the park, making it super important for their survival.
Protecting Cusuco's Future
Even though Cusuco National Park is protected, it faces some challenges. People sometimes change the land around the park. For example, forests are sometimes cleared to grow coffee. There are also more people living near the park. This can put pressure on its natural resources.
Other threats include:
- Over-hunting: Sometimes, too many large animals are hunted.
- Chytridiomycosis: This is a serious disease that affects amphibians.
- Climate Change: Changes in weather patterns can harm the park's ecosystems.
Efforts are being made to protect Cusuco National Park. These efforts help keep its amazing biodiversity safe for the future.
Visiting Cusuco
There is a visitors' center at the park. It's a great place to learn more about Cusuco National Park. You can find it at these coordinates: 15.496111, -88.211667.
See also
In Spanish: Parque nacional Cusuco para niños
