Monte Alén National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monte Alén National Park |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Entrance sign (2010)
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 Monte Alén National Park
Location in Equatorial Guinea
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| Location | Equatorial Guinea |
| Area | 2,000 km2 (770 sq mi) |
| Established | 1990 |
Monte Alén National Park (Spanish: Parque nacional de Monte Alén) is a special protected area in the country of Equatorial Guinea. It was created in 1990 to protect its amazing nature. This park is the biggest in the country, covering about 2,000 square kilometers. That's a huge area, almost as big as a small country!
One of the most famous animals living here is the goliath frog (Conraua goliath). This incredible frog is the largest frog in the entire world! Because it's so special, hunting goliath frogs in the park is not allowed.
Contents
What is Monte Alén National Park Like?
Where is Monte Alén National Park Located?
Monte Alén National Park is found near the center of Equatorial Guinea. It covers a large area of 2,000 square kilometers (about 772 square miles). The land inside the park goes from being 300 meters (about 984 feet) high to 1,250 meters (about 4,100 feet) high.
Mountains and Rivers in the Park
The park is home to some of the highest mountains in the area. These include Monte Alen and Monte Mitra. These mountains are important because they are where many of the main rivers in the park begin. The Uoro River flows along the western side of the park. The eastern part of the park is next to the road that goes from Niefang to Gabon. You can also find some rocky areas and Lake Atoc, which is surrounded by thick forest.
Park Climate and Trails
The weather in Monte Alén National Park is hot and humid, like a tropical rainforest. The average temperature is around 25°C (77°F) in the lower areas. In the higher parts, it's a bit cooler, usually between 20°C and 23°C (68-73°F). The park gets a lot of rain, about 3,000 to 3,500 millimeters (118 to 138 inches) each year.
The park has good paths for hiking and exploring. The people who manage the park make sure that logging (cutting down trees) is carefully controlled to protect the environment.
Amazing Animals of Monte Alén National Park
Monte Alén National Park is a very important place for wildlife. It is home to many different kinds of animals, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Bird Species in the Park
Over 265 different types of birds have been seen in the park. Some special birds that live here include the Coracina caesia, Dryoscopus angolensis, and Phylloscopus herberti. The Phylloscopus budongoensis is the only type of warbler found in the park. Other interesting birds are the Picathartes oreas, Melignomon zenkeri, Muscicapa tessmanni, Batis minima, and possibly Apus sladeniae.
Mammals and Primates
The park is also home to 105 different kinds of mammals. This includes 16 types of primates, which are animals like monkeys and apes. Some of the primates you might find here are the Colobus satanas, Cercocebus torquatus, mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx), gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).
Other mammals living in the park include large elephants. There are two types: bush elephants (Loxodonta africana) and forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis). You can also find small animals like shrews (Crocidura grassei).
Reptiles and Amphibians
The park has 65 different types of reptiles, including crocodiles. There are also many amphibians, which are animals that can live both on land and in water. Some amphibians found here are Petropedetes palmipes and Leptodactylodon stevarti. These two species are on the IUCN Red List, which means they are at risk of disappearing. As mentioned before, the famous goliath frog (Conraura goliath) lives in the southern part of the park.
Protecting Monte Alén National Park
Protecting Monte Alén National Park is very important. In the past, parts of the forest were set aside for logging, and people were encouraged to grow crops and trees together. However, studies showed that hunting animals in the park was a big problem.
By 2005, rules were put in place to better protect the park. Now, farming, hunting, and logging are generally not allowed inside the park. This helps keep the animals and plants safe and healthy for the future.
See also
In Spanish: Parque nacional de Monte Alén para niños
