Chiribiquete National Park – 'The Maloca Of The Jaguar' Facts
Gallery
The Serranía de Chiribiquete National Park is located in the Colombian Amazon and was created in 1989.
The Park is known for its stunning rock formations, which were carved by the Apaporis River over thousands of years. Chiribiquete is also home to a variety of endemic species, including jaguars, tapirs, and macaws.
It's a vast forested wilderness accented by a series of tepuis or table-top mountains. The Guiana Shield is known for its sheer-sided sandstone plateaux, which are known as tepuis. The presence of globally-threatened species such as the giant otter, the lowland tapir, the giant anteater, the woolly monkey, and the jaguar demonstrates the area's exceptional preservation and natural wealth.
Discovery And History
The Chiribiquete National Natural Park is Colombia's largest national park and the world's largest tropical rainforest national park.
The Serranía de Chiribiquete Mountains and surrounding lowlands are covered with tropical moist forests, grasslands, and rivers, and the Park now covers around 10,54,6156.21 ac (4,267,878 ha).
On February 21, 2018, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced the expansion of Chiribiquete National Park by 5791.5 sq mi (15,000 sq km). On July 2, 2018, UNESCO declared the Park a World Heritage Site, expanding it to 16,602.3 sq mi (43,000 sq km).
The Chiribiquete Plateau, one of only three raised sections of the Guiana Shield, is located near the westernmost edge of the shield.
Cultural Heritage
The Chiribiquete National Park is home to a number of ancient rock paintings, which are some of the most impressive in all of South America. The Chiribiquete National Park also houses an incredible variety of flora and fauna.
Some of the iconic species that can be found in the park include jaguars, pumas, tapirs, deer, monkeys, and many different types of birds.
Chiribiquete is also a significant natural conservation area on a worldwide scale.
Rare species like the tapir, the manatee, the brown woolly monkey, and the giant anteater can be found in the Park, which also has over 400 bird species and 209 butterfly species.
As the Park has a history of being secluded and undisturbed by visitors due to years of armed violence in the region, scientists believe Chiribiquete could hold significantly more species than is currently known.
Chiribiquete's UNESCO designation was greeted with joy and enthusiasm throughout Colombia, and it has been lauded by local and international conservationists as a significant step towards safeguarding the country's remarkable biodiversity.
Unfortunately for visitors to Colombia, the Park is closed to the general public, so those hoping to see the wonders of Chiribiquete will have to settle for a pricey flyover from San Jose del Guaviare.
This once-in-a-lifetime excursion is available through commercial travel companies in Colombia.
Archaeological Excavations
The property's global importance to biodiversity conservation is demonstrated by the fact that it is listed as a Plant Diversity Center, a Significant Bird Area, a Protected Bird Area, and the only site safeguarding one of the terrestrial ecoregions of flooded woods called 'Purus Varze,' which is listed as 'Endangered' by WWF International, and is a Key Biodiversity Area.
The property's biodiversity values are closely tied to its cultural and archaeological sites, which are strongly associated with the faith, beliefs, and spiritual values of indigenous communities.
Until the 16th century, rock art was created in the area. Between the years 1986-1987, geologist Jaime Galvis photographed several of the artworks for the first time.
From 1990-1992, Carlos Castaos, former director of Colombia's National Natural Parks System, and Dutch geologist and paleontologist Thomas van der Hammen conducted additional studies. In 2014, Mike Slee, a British wildlife filmmaker, and Francisco Forero Bonell, a Colombian photographer and explorer, captured and filmed the rock art on the park's vertical rock sides.
Site Attractions
Chiribiquete is Colombia's largest protected areas, covering more than 9.8 million ac (4 million ha) in the Amazon's northwest. The Park is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including cacti, orchids, and bromeliads.
It is also the world's most diverse park, serving as a haven for the jaguar in particular. It's a park that houses a lot of prehistoric and Pre-Columbian artifacts.
There are more than 75,000 rock paintings from more than 20,000 years ago (BCE) in the Land of Tepuys. More than 60 shelters dotting the sandstone cliffs and plateaus have been unearthed with these murals.
It is a sacred site for the indigenous people of the region. The United States Agency for International Development is partnering with the Government of Colombia to strengthen the capacity to increase sustainable use of land in the region and decrease deforestation to protect the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
FAQs
Where is Serranía de Chiribiquete located?
Serranía de Chiribiquete is located at Solano, Guaviare, Colombia.
What is the name of the indigenous community that created the rock paintings at Chiribiquete?
The paintings were probably made for ceremonial purposes by an indigenous group, most likely the Karjona, who still live in Chiribiquete.
When was Chiribiquete listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018.
Who founded the Chiribiquete National Park?
The Chiribiquete National Park was founded on November 29, 1989, by the Colombian government in order to protect the area's unique cultural and natural heritage.
Why is Chiribiquete National Park so famous?
Chiribiquete is unique in terms of its significant cultural and natural landscape, and its hydrological and archaeological worth, as it houses massive amounts of rock art and visual records, as well as indigenous populations, some of whom still live in deliberate seclusion.
Why it is called 'The Maloca of the Jaguar'?
The name 'The Maloca of the Jaguar' comes from the many paintings of jaguars that can be found in the Park.
We Want Your Photos!
More for You
Sources
https://naturalworldheritagesites.org/sites/chiribiquete-national-park-the-maloca-of-the-jaguar/
https://lacgeo.com/serrania-chiribiquete-national-park-colombia
https://theculturetrip.com/south-america/colombia/articles/chiribiquete-how-the-latest-unesco-world-heritage-site-in-colombia-honors-the-jaguar/
See All
Bachelor of Computer Application
Gincy AlphonseBachelor of Computer Application
As a skilled visual storyteller, Gincy's passion lies in bringing ideas to life through creative design. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Application from New Horizon College and has perfected her expertise with a PG Diploma in Graphic Design from Arena Animation. Gincy's talent shines in the realm of branding design, digital imaging, layout design, and print and digital content writing. She believes that content creation and clear communication are art forms in themselves, and is constantly striving to refine her craft.
Disclaimer
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.