Volcán Barú National Park (19266)
Panama, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, B2
Year of last assessment: 2024
National site name: Parque Nacional Volcán Barú
Central coordinates: Latitude: 8.8111, Longitude: -82.5418
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 1400 to 3734
Area of KBA (km2): 141.12184
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Volcán Barú (3,475 m), the highest peak in Panama, lies 7 km south of the continental divide on the Pacific slope. The lowest points are in the southeast corner (1,400 m) and just above the town of Volcán (1,480 m). A gravel road extends from the town of Boquete to a communications facility and antenna array on the summit. In addition to the summit road, the main access is via the Los Quetzales, or Respingo, Trail between Cerro Punta and Boquete. The area is inhabited by latinos and Ngöbe.
Pesticide use in nearby agricultural areas could have detrimental effects on wildlife. Timber-cutting and poaching are also problems within the park, and in the early 1990s wildfires caused significant damage. In 2002 the Panamanian government proposed to build a road through the park between the towns of Cerro Punta and Boquete would sever the connection between Volcán Barú and La Amistad International Park, with possible disruption of movements by wildlife. It also would have destroyed prime nesting habitat for Respelndent Quetzal. The road project was halted after a concerted campaign by local, national, and international conservation organizations. The park is a popular tourist destination and is easily visited from Volcán, Cerro Punta, or Boquete.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site contains the entire known population of Bolitoglossa copia. Additionally, 33 species of birds meet threatened and/or range restricted criteria and 19 species are listed under "Other species not triggering KBA criteria."
Manageability of the site: This site is managed by the Ministerio de Ambiente.
Delineation rationale: The site delineation follows the boundary of Volcán Barú National Park with the northwestern extension from the original delineation maintained.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Forest | 90 |
Additional information
Contributors: Amphibian Red List Authority