Tumbes Mangals National Sanctuary, National sanctuary in Zarumilla, Peru.
This sanctuary covers 2,972 hectares of coastal landscape in Tumbes Department, with mangrove forests spread across several islands. Five different mangrove species grow in the complex ecosystem, where roots extend into shallow water and channels wind between the trees.
The government established the protected area on March 2, 1988, to preserve the mangrove forests near the border with Ecuador. This decision responded to the decline of coastal wetlands along the Pacific and aimed to protect water quality and fishing grounds.
The name refers to the mangroves that have shaped the rhythm of life for fishers and gatherers along the coast for generations. These local communities depend on black shells and red crabs harvested among the tree roots, ingredients that appear in many regional dishes.
Access follows two routes from Zarumilla: a seven-kilometer path to El Algarrobo control post or a five-kilometer route to Puerto 25. The best time to visit is during the dry season between May and November, when trails are easier to walk and wildlife appears more active.
The protected area is home to 148 bird species, including the yellow-crowned night heron and the rufous-necked wood rail, which forage among the roots. American crocodiles swim through the channels and sometimes bask along the banks, offering patient visitors a chance to observe them.
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