Osa: Where the Wild Things Are

The OsaPeninsula in the south Pacific region consists of 160,000 hectares (about 395,000 acres) of land. A great variety of animal species, an estimated 2.5% of the world’s total, can be found within these perimeters. CorcovadoNational Park, in the western part of the peninsula, is considered one of the most biodiverse zones on the planet. Inaugurated in 1975, the park covers 42,469 hectares of tropical rain forests, cloud forests, mangroves, wetlands, lagoons, beaches, and coral reefs. It is home to more than 140 species of mammals, 367 types of birds, 40 species of freshwater fish and 117 amphibians.

Along the banks of the SierpeRiver lies the largest mangrove forest in Central America.

This lush place is home to herons, bats, crocodiles and white-faced capuchin monkeys, among others.

Caño Island, named because it was a place where pirates collected fresh water for their expeditions, is known for its abundant marine life.Within the almost-translucent blue waters that surround the island live eels, sharks, manta rays, dolphins, whales and turtles.

A pizote, or white-nosed coati, scratches its chin while resting high on a tree branch at CorcovadoNational Park, left. This omnivorous member of the raccoon family inhabits wooded areas of the Americas. A young crocodile basks in the sun along the SierpeRiver, above. A lizard peers from a hotel roof in DrakeBay, right.

Photos by Harmony Reforma