Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park

Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park

Located in the provinces of Napo, Orellana and Sucumbíos, Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park is a protected area in Ecuador. The Sumaco volcano, with an elevation of 3,732 meters, is the highest point of the park. The volcano is a symmetric isolated stratovolcano, located off Ecuador's main volcanic axis. The lowland valley of the Cosanga and Quijos Rivers isolates Sumaco from the Cordillera Oriental. It has over 6000 vascular plant species, with over 90 endemism. There is also several fauna endemism, such as the toad Osornophryne sumacoensis, known only from the eastern slopes of Sumaco, and the frog Pristimantis ernesti, known only from the summit of Sumaco. There are about 280 species of birds in the park, but the true number is probably much higher because the park is not well explored. Seventeen species of mammals, including eight species of bats, were recorded in a mammal survey conducted at 2500 meters on the eastern slope of Sumaco. The park is also home to larger mammals such as jaguar, Spectacled Bear, Giant Anteater, Andean Tapir and puma. Amphibians and reptiles are thought to be particularly abundant in the area, although little information is available. The park has been under threat for some time due to its proximity to several natural oil reserves. In response to this threat, efforts have been made to have the area declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.