The Honduran staff of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) recently hosted a workshop at the Cuero & Salado Wildlife Refuge, located just west of La Ceiba on Honduras’ north coast. The workshop was part of the “Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Coral Reef in the Mesoamerican Ecoregion” project supported by the World French Environmental Fund (Fonds Francaise pour L’Environnement Mondial-FFEM) was coordinated along with members of the Foundation of Cuero and Salado (FUCSA), two towns outside of La Ceiba on either side of the protected area.

Scientists, managers and wildlife experts from the U.S., the United Kingdom and Honduras gathered for three days to exchange ideas and share their experiences with wildlife, nature and conservation. Specialists with intricate knowledge of everything from insects, reptiles, and mammals to amphibious birds and plant life were present.

Resources Guards, government representatives and biologist experts attended as well and were encouraged to not only learn and observe but to contribute and participate, sharing their firsthand accounts with fellow attendees.

The Wildlife Refuge itself is considered by many to be one of most pristine, naturally beautiful protected area of its kind in Central America and is home to a high concentration of rare plant and animal life. The park is a massive web of aquatic paths and natural channels, all linked by hundreds of kilometers of navigable roads. A group of wildlife specialists, employed by Cuero y Salado Foundation, are responsible for the oversight and care for the rare, protected animal species located within. It is surrounded by mangrove forests, coastal lagoons, the Caribbean and freshwater rivers.

Because of its natural confluence of varied ecosystems, the protected area renders itself the perfect location for its endless amounts of animals, insects and plants.

Cuero and Salado is highly sought after for avid bird watchers who are able to see hundreds of different species. Commonly seen as well are crocodiles, marine turtles, North American migrating ducks, rare, endangered white-faced and howler monkeys and the gentle giant manatees, who have inhabited the area for centuries.

After the welcome speech by protected area Director Justo Carcamo, he detailed the workshop agenda and later took attendees on a tour of the park facilities. Protected area Coordinator Raul Macedo offered suggestions on how to best enjoy and view the place.

Members of FUCSA and the WWF conducted a presentation that included detailed information about the monitoring of plant and animal life inside the park, specifically involving night boat patrols that attempt to observe the more nocturnal mammals, including the American crocodile.

A Manatee observation group sailed at dawn on a three hour tour that allowed participants to directly observe the huge, lumbering mammal, which borders on the edge of extinction.

Wildlife expert Hector Portillo explained how he and his group monitor animal species, including the Honduran cougar and the Tropical papagayo, a beautiful bird on the parrot family, using Sherman ‘camera traps.’

A Honduran sweet water fish species case was presented by Wilfredo Matamoros, Honduran biologist, who is defending his PhD, and included his findings of at least two new fish species endemic in the region.

The Cuero and Salado Wildlife Refuge is a must-see destination for anyone who wants to experience a vast array of wildlife in their natural habitat, a location vivid in color and brimming with life. That it is surrounded by so much natural beauty outside the park should be reason enough to visit this natural, Honduran wonder.

For more information, go to www.wwfca.org or email Alicia Medina, Protected Areas Senior Program Officer amedina@wwfca.org. or http://cueroysalado.org