Mocagua and Zaragocilla Island (14505)
Colombia, South America

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a

Year of last assessment: 2023

National site name: Isla Mocagua y Zaragocilla

Central coordinates: Latitude: 3.5100, Longitude: -70.1400

System: terrestrial, freshwater

Elevation (m): 90 to 95

Area of KBA (km²): 35.8936

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The Mocagua and Zaragocilla Islands are located in the Amazon River, 60 km upstream from the municipal capital of Leticia. These islands are part of the Mocagua, Macedonia, El Vergel and Zaragoza indigenous reserves and are located in front of the Amacayacu National Natural Park. The islands' habitat is mainly flooded tropical rainforest or várzea (80%). In addition, there is low tropical rainforest (5%), secondary forests, freshwater lagoons, sandy beaches, and farms (5%). The latter are located especially on the shores and are a strong source of livelihood for the community. The lakes and streams are also important for subsistence fishing and are an attractive site for ecotourists, which enhances the economic importance for the communities. The Piurí (Crax globulosa) has been the flagship species for a conservation and research program in the southern region of Amacayacu NP called Proyecto Piurí (Bennett 2003). This project began in 2000 thanks to the support of the Humboldt Institute's Endangered Species Fellowship Program (Bennett 2003). Through it, the park was able to consolidate an active alliance with the six indigenous communities located south of its zone of influence. Currently there is a management plan for the island, agreed upon by the four resguardos in 2003, which establishes a hunting ban for all fauna and guidelines for fishing and other human uses of the island's natural resources. Groups of community monitors are present 24 hours a day to enforce these guidelines.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This KBA is one of the few sites in Colombia where there are still populations of Wattled Curassow (Crax globulosa) with reproductive evidence. The presence of healthy and reproducing populations of this (EN) ENDANGERED species indicates that this KBA meets the A1 and B2 criteria.

Additional biodiversity: Despite the size of the island, this KBA records 335 bird species: https://ebird.org/region/BIRDLIFE_14505?yr=all. The Manatee (Trichechus inunguis, VU), the Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger) and the Pirarucú (Arapaima gigas, DD) have also been recorded.

Manageability of the site: The government has an active alliance with the six indigenous communities located south of its zone of influence. Currently there is a management plan for the island, agreed upon by the four resguardos in 2003, which establishes a hunting ban for all fauna and guidelines for fishing and other human uses of the island's natural resources. Groups of community monitors are present 24 hours a day to enforce these guidelines.

Other site values: In the KBA there are six indigenous communities in four reservations: Macedonia Vergel, Mocagua and Zaragoza. The four indigenous reservations inhabited by Ticuna Communities

Delineation rationale: The limits of this KBA are given by the size and shape of Mocagua Island. In the rainy season, the island becomes smaller and in the dry season it can extend several kilometers until it joins with other islands and even with land areas of the Amacayacu PNN.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)		Wetlands (inland) – Seasonal/intermittent/irregular rivers/streams/creeks
Forest		Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist lowland

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The issues include selective logging, firewood collection, and the intensification of agriculture, despite not facing significant threats at present.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Annual & perennial non-timber crops	Small-holder farming	Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Recreational activities		Ongoing
Transportation & service corridors	Utility & service lines		Ongoing
Climate change & severe weather	Temperature extremes		Ongoing

Additional information