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Home › Ecotourism › National Parks › La Tigra › |
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La Tigra is of outstanding importance for the capital city Tegucigalpa
providing some 40 % of its drinking water.Cloud forests are water reservoirs.
The vegetation collects the water from the air. When saturated, the water
drips from trunks or leaf tips to the ground. The ground is spongy and
protected by the vegetation from soil erosion. The water is collected
in lower and rocky parts of the ground. This water reservoir guaranties
a constant water supply to the Tegucigalpa area even in the dry season.
One of the most remarkable species in La Tigra is the cypress (Podocarpus
oleifolius), an evergreen species that stands out for its unique broad
leaves; it is found mostly in South America and reaches its northern range
limits here in Honduras. Also noticeable is the presence of such trees
as aguacatillo, one of the Quetzals main food sources, mountain oak (Quercus
skinneri), gorila (Clusia salvinii), liquidambar (Liquidambar styraciflua),
pine tree (Pinus maximinoii and Pinus pseudostrobus), shrubs such as Rodolentia
nebulosa, and ferns such as Pteridium aquilinum and Alsophila salvinii.
The latter being an endangered species.
Cloud forests do not have as high biodiversity as rainforests, but they
are home to many endemic species making cloudforest reserves of high importance
for many species survival. Reptiles form the group with the smallest number
of species in La Tigra. There are 3 amphibian and 13 reptile species,
2 of which are rare and 2 poisonous (Micrurus nigrocinctus and Bothrops
godmani). Outstanding species within this group are the showy green lizard
(Sceloporus malachitichus), thought by locals to be poisonous, and the
rare earthworm snake (Typhlops costaricensis).
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The second largest group is mammals, with 31 species, 6 of which are endangered,
2 threatened, and 2 are considered rare. The most outstanding of the mammals
are the felines, represented by the Jaguar, Ocelot and the Margay Cat.
Peccaries, Bairds Tapir, Agoutis, Coatis, and Armadillos are a few more
of the mammals found in La Tigra.
The bird group has the largest number of species. The park has a total
of 34 families with 171 species, 42 of which are only found in the cloud
forest and 27 migratory species. Some of themare endangered or threatened,
as in the case of great curassow (Crax rubra) and trogon family (family
Trogonidae), which includes the Resplendent Quetzal, the mystic and famous
bird of the Mayas and Aztecs.
Visitors interested in viewing the Quetzal will have better luck in the
reproductive season between March and May. Normally completely hidden
in the dense vegetation of the cloud forest, during this time the males
are very active and call alot as they are trying to attract a female.
La Tigra has two entrances and visitor centres. The best facilities are
found at the El Rosario entrance. Here is a visitors centre, with maps
and area information. In the old mine hospital you will find a lodge with
8 rooms with private bathroom. A cafeteria can be opened on request of
groups. Camping is also possible, with use of bathroom facilities of the
lodge. The other entrance Jutiapa, provides a visitors centre where you
can camp if you have your own camping gear, there is bathroom facilities
also at Jutiapa.
La Tigra has a good trail system. There are 6 trails 4 can be accessed
from the Jutiapa Visitors Center and two from the El Rosario Visitors
Centre. These trails have look-out spots, rest areas, and picnic areas.
Trails vary in length from 1 hour to 4 or 5 hour hikes. In addition to
these six trails there is an access road. That joins the visitors centres
at Jutiapa and El Rosario, to hike this takes a good 3 hours.
For tours check out our private tours.
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