Taï National Park: Learn All About Its Diverse Flora & Fauna

Taï National Park was named after the city Taï, situated between the park and the Cavally River, which serves as the natural boundary between Liberia and the Ivory Coast.

Taï National Park is primary tropical rainforest and is West Africa's largest remaining rainforest. Taï National Park gained World Heritage Status in 1982.

It is advised to visit this primary forest with a guide, to know more about the habitat. This park is the natural reservoir of the Ebola virus. Taï National Park is home to 11 primate species, making it one of the few remaining strongholds, including highly endangered smaller species.

History And Formation

Taï National Park is also a popular tourist destination. Visitors can go on safari to see the wildlife or trek through the jungle to see the amazing plants and animals. Taï National Park was created in 1972 and is one of the largest national parks in West Africa.

This park is huge and is home to many endangered species. Taï National Park is an important site for conservation and research. Scientists worldwide visit Taï National Park to study its unique ecosystem.

Taï National Park is a place of great beauty and importance. It is a place where we can learn about the natural world. Taï National Park is an important part of the Ivory Coast's heritage and must be protected for future generations.

Area And Location

A national park is a park built and protected by national governments for conservation objectives. Although national parks are differently designed in each country, the main aim of these parks is to preserve wild nature.

Taï National Park is located in eastern Ivory Coast, West Africa, approximately 8 miles (12.8 km) west of Soubre. The area of Taï National Park is around 1,351 sq mi or (3,500 sq km). Taï National Park is located about 38 miles (61 km) from the Ivory Coast, between the Sassandra rivers and Cavally, on the Liberian border. 

Animal & Plant Life In Taï National Park

Taï National Park has diverse biodiversity of animals and plants, including more than 1,300 plants and 54 species of large mammals. Plants such as Gilbertiodendron splendid, Heritiera utilis, Kantou guereensis, and Raphia can be found in this park. In ancient times, people made use of a few of the plants and trees, like Terminalia Superba bark which was used to cure malaria.

There are about 11 species of primate populations that includes Campbell, spot-nosed and Diana monkeys, black and white colobus, green colobus monkeys, chimpanzee, and mangabey. Also there are species of pangolin, leopard, African golden cat, giant forests hog, pygmy hippo, and a unique species of forest duikers. There are more than 230 species in this national park, like white-breasted Guineafowl and forest elephants, which do not have a flourishing population anywhere else.

Chimpanzees at Taï National Park exhibit unusual activities, such as nut-cracking with tools, making them an intriguing population for scientists and tourists to study.

Importance And Significance Of Taï National Park

Taï National Park is a significant national park in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire's southwestern region. Taï's rainforests are isolated from the rainforest of Central Africa by dry Dahomey Gap, allowing the national park to have relatively distinct fauna and flora. Taï's rainforests are the biggest and best-preserved relic of the primary rainforest in West Africa, more specifically of Upper Guinea.

Taï National Park was listed on the UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site list due to its richness. Despite this, it did not enable five mammal species to be removed from the Red List of Threatened Species. The five species are olive colobus monkeys, leopards, pygmy hippopotamus, chimps, and Jentink's duiker.

FAQs

Where is the Taï National Park located?

Taï National park is located in Ivory Coast, West Africa.

How big is Taï National Park?

Taï National Park covers an area of 1,351 sq mi (3,500 sq km).

Why is Taï National Park important?

Taï National Park has unique species of flora and fauna, and it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

What animals and plants live in Taï National Park?

There are many animals and plants, including buffalo, hippopotamus, and red river hogs, and Kantou guereensis, Heritiera utilis, Symphonia globulifera, Gilbertiodendron splendidum, and Raphia.

What is the history of Taï National Park?

Taï National Park was founded on August 28, 1972. The Taï Forest Reserve was established in 1926 and declared a National Park in 1972. In 1978, UNESCO designated it as a Biosphere Reserve, and in 1982, it was included as a World Heritage Site on the Natural World Heritage List.