General de División Omar Torrijos Herrera National Park (19284)
Panama, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, A1e, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Parque Nacional General de División Omar Torrijos Herrera
Central coordinates: Latitude: 8.6790, Longitude: -80.6531
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Area of KBA (km2): 253.98384
Protected area coverage (%): 98.06
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Omar Torrijos National Park, above the town of El Copé, includes the easternmost part of the main cordillera of western Panama. It is contiguous with Santa Fé National Park and the Golfo de los Mosquitos Forests. The height of the main divide in the park decreases from a 1,710 m peak (unnamed on maps) near the western boundary to Cerro Peña Blanca (710 m) in the east. The park contains the upper watersheds of the Río Grande on the Pacific slope and the Belén and Coclé del Norte Rivers on the Caribbean, with the low point (80 m) on the Belén. A four-wheel-drive road reaches the park from El Copé, rising to 910 m before descending on the Caribbean slope, and a gravel road to Coclesito passes near the eastern end of the park. The road above El Copé is a popular birding destination, but the higher peaks in the west and the Caribbean lowlands have never been ornithologically surveyed. About 5,000 ha, or 20% of the park, has been deforested, and illegal clearing and colonization remain problems. With so few staff it is difficult for ANAM to control of hunting or clearing within the park. Given its closeness to Panama City, the park has great potential for eco-tourism. However, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is required for access.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site contains the entire known population of Bolitoglossa copia. Additionally, ten species of birds meet threatened and/or range restricted criteria and eighteen species meet legacy KBA criteria.
Manageability of the site: Site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2003 by BirdLife partners. A manageability rationale is not available.
Delineation rationale: Site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2003 by BirdLife partners. A delineation rationale is not available.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 | |
| Forest | 50 |