Paramillo Natural National Park (14444)
Colombia, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Parque Nacional Natural Paramillo

Central coordinates: Latitude: 7.5383, Longitude: -76.1095

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 500 to 3401

Area of KBA (km²): 5038.69081

Protected area coverage (%): 99.97

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: It is located at the northern end of the Western Cordillera; It includes the north of the department of Antioquia and the south of the department of Córdoba. It is a source of large water reserves that supply water and energy to a large area of the northwest of the country. In this protected area, communities of the Emberá ethnic group inhabit, whose cultural traditions, despite having great pressures, remain over time. Given the characteristics and location of the Park -within a productive region- there is also a presence of peasants who have colonized some areas within the area. The types of vegetation present are the páramo, the cloud forest and the humid and rain forest, and it is part of the Chocó-Magdalena and Norandina biogeographic provinces.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This KBA is important for maintaining the populations of two CRITICALLY ENDANGERED species, the Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) and the Cotton-headed Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus), therefore this KBA meets criterion A1.

Additional biodiversity: There are estimated to be more than 400 bird species by eBird data. The ichthyofauna has about 148 species, including marine species that can ascend to the lower part of the river. Eight endemic species have been recorded in the Sinú basin, including Brycon fowleri, Brycon moorei sinuensis and Brycon americus icelus.

Manageability of the site: This KBA is a Protected Area managed by the National Natural Parks of Colombia. The management and conservation actions in this KBA falls on the National Natural Parks of Colombia.

Other site values: Presence of indigenous groups that belongs to Embera Katio community

Delineation rationale: The limits of this KBA correspond to the AP Paramillo Natural National Park.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Aquatic	10	Ponds [below 8 ha]
Forest	90	Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane
Artificial - Terrestrial	4.8
Shrubland	4.8

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Serious and diverse threats present in the area include the intensification and expansion of agriculture, as well as commercial deforestation, colonization, illicit coca plantations, and gold prospecting.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Work & other activities
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Ongoing
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]	Ongoing

Additional information