Ilha Grande National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ilha Grande National Park
Parque Nacional de Ilha Grande
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Saraiva Lake in the Ilha Grande National Park
Ilha Grande National Park Location in Brazil
Location	Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Area	78,875
Established	September 30, 1997
Administrator	Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation
Ramsar Wetland
Designated:	30 September 2017
Reference #:	2316

The Ilha Grande National Park (Parque Nacional de Ilha Grande) is a special nature area in Brazil. It sits right on the border between the states of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul. This park was created in 1997 to protect the amazing plants and animals found near the upper Parana River.

History of Ilha Grande Park

The Ilha Grande National Park was officially created on September 30, 1997. It was made by a special rule from the President of Brazil. Today, a group called the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) takes care of the park. They work to keep it safe and healthy for everyone.

Exploring the Park's Area

This large park covers about 78,875 hectares (that's about 195,000 acres!). It includes all the islands and small islands in a certain part of the Parana River. Some of the main islands are Grande, Peruzzi, Peacock, and Bandeirantes.

The park also protects important wetlands and flood plains along the river. You can find beautiful lakes and lagoons here too. The river parts used for boats are not inside the park's protected area.

Nearby Towns and Ancient History

Ilha Grande National Park is close to nine different towns. Five of these towns are in Paraná state: Guaíra, Altônia, São Jorge do Patrocínio, Alto Paraíso, and Icaraíma. The other four are in Mato Grosso do Sul state: Mundo Novo, Eldorado, Itaquirai, and Naviraí.

The park is also home to very old archaeological sites. We know that the Guarani and Xetás people lived in this area a long time ago.

Fun Things to Do at the Park

You can visit Ilha Grande National Park for free any day of the week! It's a great place to explore nature.

Swimming and Boat Rides

In many parts of the park, you'll find small beaches. These are perfect spots to relax and swim in the Parana River. Another fun activity is taking a boat ride on the Parana River. You can see many different parts of Ilha Grande from the water.

Wildlife and Plants of Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande is a special place because it's where two different types of nature meet. It's a mix of cerrado (a type of grassland common in the Pantanal) and seasonal forests. This means you can find a wide variety of plants and animals here.

Amazing Animals to Spot

The park is home to many unique animals, including some that are rare or endangered.

• Land Animals:
  • The marsh deer (Blastocelus dichotomus) is a large deer that lives in wetlands.
  • The yellow-bellied caiman (Caiman Latorostris) is a type of alligator.
  • The powerful jaguar (Panthera onca) roams the land.
  • You might also see the tapir (Tapirus terestris) and the giant anteater (Myrmecophata trydoctyla).

• Water Animals:
  • The rivers are full of fish like the painted catfish (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans).
  • Other fish include the jaú (Paulicea luetkeni), armed catfish (Pterodoras granular), and the golden dorado (Salminus maxillosus).
  • The pacu (piractus mesopotamicus) is another common fish.

• Birds:
  • Look up to see the jabiru (Jabiru mycteria), a very tall stork.
  • Other birds include the jaó (Cryptrellus undulatus), curassow (Crax fasciolata), American spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), and the jacana (Jacana jacana).

Protecting the Animals

Rules for fishing were put in place on October 2, 2008. These rules help protect the fish and other water animals in the Paraná River basin. Ilha Grande National Park is part of a larger network of protected areas. These include places like the Morro do Diabo State Park and Iguaçu National Park.

There's also a plan for a "Trinational Biodiversity Corridor." This project aims to connect forests between Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. It would help animals move safely between different protected areas.

Sources

See also

In Spanish: Parque nacional de Isla Grande para niños