Marais de Kaw, Protected wetland in French Guiana, France
The Marais de Kaw is a large protected wetland in eastern French Guiana covering about 137,000 hectares with diverse habitats connected by natural waterways. The landscape includes grassland swamps, mangrove forests, tidal rivers, and mudflats that create a complex patchwork of aquatic and semi-aquatic environments.
The wetland received official recognition in 1993 when the French government designated it as a Ramsar site of international importance. This designation established legal protection for the entire ecosystem and its wildlife inhabitants.
The village of Kaw is home to about 50 residents who have practiced fishing for generations using traditional methods passed down through families. People here move through the wetland as part of their daily routine, with deep knowledge of the landscape and its rhythms.
Visitors explore this wetland through guided boat tours along the Kaw River, where trained guides help identify wildlife and explain the different habitats. Travel by water is essential here, as walking across muddy terrain is difficult and most areas are only accessible by river and creek routes.
This reserve holds the largest population of black caimans found in France and one of the most important populations worldwide. The river channels and swamps here provide essential refuge for a species found nowhere else in European territory.
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