Peru : Park Guide : Tumbes

The Reserve Area of Tumbes was established September 28, 1994, by means of the Ministerial Resolution # 0594-94-AG. It is located in the Tumbes region, and the Tumbes and Zarumilla provinces. It extends for 75,102 hectares. 

The flora is represented by a great diversity of species, among those that stand out are the endemic specie the kapok trees  (Ceiba trichistandra), various species of mesquites (Prosopis spp.),(Pithecellobium multiflorum) and the cuipo (Cavanillesia platanifolia). The flora of economical importance is the IPE (Tabebuia sp.), the mesquites (Prosopis pallida) and the holy wood (Bursera graveolens), species which are threatened due to their intense use as firewood, fabrication of the park and as crafts. 

This area possesses typical fauna which has a limited distribution. Among the reptiles we can mention the macanche (Botriechis schlegeli) and various species of lizards (Dicrodon sp.). Among the amphibians, those which stand out are the frogs (Trachycephalus jordani). Among the birds exist the yellow faced parrotlet (Forpus xanthops), grey cheeked parakeet (Brotogeris pyrrhopterus), the Peruvian antpitta (Grallaricula peruviana), the gray backed hawk (Leucopternis occidentalis), the magpie (Cyanocorax mystacallis) and the pale legged hornero (Furnarius leucopus). Among the mammals you can find the white tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the Guayaquil squirrel (Sciurus stramineus).

Throughout the area exist some threatened species like the bronze winged Pionus  (Pionus chalcopterus), the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis), the mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata), the jaguar (Panthera onca) and the margay (Leopardus wiedii).

The area presents with two distinct ecological zones: the dry forest and the humid forest, each with their own characteristic landscapes making the Tumbes Reserve a very special place. 

The object of the Tumbes Reserve is to conserve and protect representative samples of the Pacific tropical forest, especially the flora and fauna which are on their way to extinction.