Utría Natural National Park (14454)
Colombia, South America

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1aA1cB2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Parque Nacional Natural Utría
Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.9984, Longitude: -77.2620
System: terrestrial, marine
Elevation (m): 0 to 1200
Area of KBA (km2): 771.298429
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Located in the Chocó department on the Pacific coast within the jurisdiction of the municipalities of Nuquí, Bahía Solano, Alto Baudó, and Bojayá, the Utría National Natural Park (PNN Utría) encompasses a total area, with 12,000 hectares consisting of marine areas. PNN Utría harbors ecosystems, wildlife populations, and plant communities representative of the province known as the Chocó Biogeographic region, which is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world (Gast et al. 1994). The Utría Bay is an immense lagoon of seawater embedded between the jungle and surrounded by gray beaches and mangroves. It overlaps with territories of Emberá indigenous communities, whose activities and cultural traditions remain highly preserved. Sharing the same territory, but not the same culture and activities, are Afro-Colombian groups with strong cultural roots. While indigenous groups inhabit the interior of the jungles, Afro-Colombian communities reside along the coasts and base their economy on fishing and maritime arts. Pristine jungles are found in the Baudó mountain range. The park boasts seven out of the ten existing mangrove species in Colombia.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This area it's important for the conservation of four birds species: Penelope ortoni and Ara ambiguus triggered the A1a and A1c criteria; Crypturellus kerriae and Chrysuronia humboldtii that only triggered B2 criteria.
Additional biodiversity: More than 300 bird species have been recorded within the park, including the only known population of Psarocolius cassini and significant populations of Crypturellus kerriae and Aramides wolfi. On the other hand, Utría is globally recognized as a destination for Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to give birth. Additionally, between August and October, hundreds of Olive Ridley Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) arrive to nest on isolated beaches near freshwater sources. There are also scarce records of Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) and Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) (Castaño-Mora 2002). In the Park, the Brassavola orchid sp. is found, growing exclusively in rocky areas near the sea. The South American opossum (Marmosa sp.), Red Brocket deer (Mazama americana - DD), and Baird's Tapir (Tapirus bairdii - EN) have also been recorded. Reptiles and amphibians include the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), Boa constrictor and B. annulata, Harlequin Toad (Atelopus spurrelli), and poisonous frogs Dendrobates histrionicus and D. pumilio (Gast et al. 1994).
Manageability of the site: Managed by Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia
Other site values: Documented presence of afro-descendant communities as Los Delfines and Los Riscales
Delineation rationale: This KBA follows the exact boundaries of the protected area of the same name, Utría National Natural Park (PNN Utría).

Habitats


IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Marine NeriticMarine Neritic – Subtidal sandy
ForestForest – Subtropical/tropical mangrove vegetation above high tide level

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The buffer zone near the Park has settlements of communities with diverse origins and cultures, leading to different forms of resource utilization. The main threats are logging for timber and burning to prepare land for agriculture and livestock. Fishing and hunting activities exist as alternatives for sustenance or to generate additional income (Gast et al., 1994).
Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Biological resource useFishing & harvesting aquatic resourcesIntentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]Ongoing
Biological resource useHunting & collecting terrestrial animalsUnintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target)Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbanceWork & other activitiesOngoing
Transportation & service corridorsRoads & railroadsOngoing

Additional information


Contributors: Alexander von Humboldt Institute