Peru : Park Guides : Manu

The National Park of Manu was established May 29, 1973 by Supreme Law # 0644-73-AG.  It is located in the region of Cusco and  Madre de Dios.

The National Park was recognized as a Natural Patrimony of Humanity in 1987, and as the central zone of a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1977. 

The National Park of Manu has a surface area of 171,629,522 hectares and represents a part of the immense biological diversity which exists in the Amazon. Due to a variation of altitudes, from 200 to 4,000 meters above sea level, it possesses almost all of the subtropical ecological formations of western Perú. Among this immense stretch of land exists species and ecosystems of great scientific interest. 

Close to the rivers, one can find characteristic trees such as, the cetico (Cecropia sp.) and the balsa (Ochroma sp). Also, you can find trees like, the cedar (Cedrela sp.), the tornillo (Cedrelinga catenaeformis),  the Brasil Nut (Bertholletia excelsa), the bombacaceae (Chorisia sp.) and the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), among others, which form mosaics of the tropical humid forest.

This park protects a great variety of animal species: more than 800 species of birds and 200 mammals (among them you can find more than 100 species of bats). There are more than 120 species of fish and an abundance of reptiles which inhabit the area. In addition to the aforementioned, there exist more than a thousand insects and invertebrata. In this region you can observe birds which are difficult to find in other locations of the jungle, such as the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), the jabiru stork (Jabiru mycteria) and the roseata spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja). Along the edge of the river, in the branches of the trees, you will find the muscovy duck (Cairina moschata). In addition, you will find wild fauna like the  Orinoco Goose, the Andean Cock of the Rock  (Rupicola peruviana), the Woolly Monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha), the Black Spider Monkey (Ateles paniscus), the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), the jaguar (Panthera onça), the Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and the North Andean Guemal (Hippocamelus antisensis).

This region is home to more than just unique fauna and flora and breathtaking views. Along the outskirts live populations of more than 30 country communities who maintain their native language of quechua. Also, there are native Amazonian populations occupying the area such as the  Matsiguenka, Amahuaca, Yine, Amarakaeri, Huachipaire, Mashco-Piros and Nahua.

For those interested in archeological remains, you can find those which have not been studied as well as those which are well known, such as the Petroglifos de Pusharo, in the region of the Palotoa River and the  Ruinas de Mameria.

Among the objectives of the creation of the National Park, is the conservation of a representative sample of the biological diversity of the tropical jungle  in southeast Perú. Thus, contributing to the regional development by means of researching and monitoring the environmental parameters.

Meanwhile, they are looking to develop anthropological programs related to the settled communities of the park.