El Toro Wilderness facts for kids
Quick facts for kids El Toro Wilderness |
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IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
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 El Toro Wilderness
Location in Puerto Rico
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| Location | El Yunque National Forest |
| Nearest city | Canovanas, Puerto Rico |
| Area | 10,254 acres (41.5 km2) |
| Established | December 2005 |
| Governing body | United States Forest Service |
El Toro Wilderness (which means Selva El Toro in Spanish) is a special natural area in Puerto Rico. It covers about 10,254 acres (4,150 km2) and is part of the El Yunque National Forest. This beautiful wilderness is located on the Sierra de Luquillo mountains in eastern Puerto Rico.
The area is named after El Toro peak, which is the highest mountain in the forest. It stands about 3,524 feet (1,074 meters) tall. El Toro Wilderness is unique because it's the only tropical wilderness in the entire United States National Forest system. It became a protected wilderness area in 2005.
The wilderness spreads across parts of four towns: Río Grande, Naguabo, Las Piedras, and Canóvanas. El Toro Wilderness is also part of the Luquillo Biosphere Reserve. This reserve is recognized by UNESCO for its importance in protecting different kinds of plants and animals around the world.
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Amazing Nature and Wildlife
El Toro Wilderness is filled with thick, green plants. The trees can be from 3 meters (about 10 feet) tall in the highest parts to 30 meters (about 100 feet) tall in lower areas. The forest protects four main types of forests found in the national park. These include the tabonuco forest, the palo colorado forest, the Sierra palm tree forest, and the dwarf forest. The dwarf forest is also known as the "elfin forest" or "cloud forest."
Unique Animals and Plants
This wilderness is home to many plant and animal species that live nowhere else on Earth. One famous resident is the endangered Puerto Rican parrot. You might also spot the rare elfin woods warbler, a small bird.
The forest has 42 types of birds that live there all the time and 35 types of birds that visit during migration. Many kinds of bats, amphibians, and reptiles also call this place home. This includes the Puerto Rican boa, a type of snake.
Some very rare plants grow here too. These include the tiny orchid called Lepanthes eltoroensis and the critically endangered palo de jazmín (Styrax portoricensis).
Ancient History
El Toro Wilderness also holds important archaeological sites. These places show signs of ancient human life. You can find Taino petroglyphs, which are ancient rock carvings. One famous group is the Icacos Petroglyph Group, also known as the Rio Blanco Petroglyphs. These carvings have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2015.
Fun Things to Do
El Toro Wilderness offers many ways to enjoy nature. You can go hiking on trails, try birdwatching to spot unique birds, or go dispersed camping. Dispersed camping means you camp away from developed campgrounds, often in more remote areas.
There are two main hiking trails that go through the wilderness area:
- The El Toro Trail starts from Cubuy in Canóvanas. It leads all the way to the top of El Toro peak.
- The Sabana Trail begins at the Sabana Recreation Area in Naguabo. This trail makes a loop through the thick jungle.
There is also the Tradewinds Trail, which connects these two trails with other parts of the national forest.
See also
- List of U.S. Wilderness Areas
- Wilderness Act
