La Corota Island Flora Sanctuary
La Corota Island Flora Sanctuary is the smallest protected area of the Colombian National Natural Park System, covering just under 16 hectares of land and surrounding water area. Located on the Laguna de la Cocha, the flora sanctuary serves as a natural habitat for endemic sub-tropical Andean cloud forest plant species as well as a number of waterfowl, amphibians, and fish. Established as a flora and fauna sanctuary on June 6, 1977, La Corota Island has become one of the most visited national parks in Colombia having recorded 28,000 individual visitors in 2018.
Geography and climate
Located in western Colombia, La Corota Island is the only lake island with old-growth Andean forest in the country. The sanctuary covers the entirety of the island and four hectares of surrounding water area.Flora and fauna
Flora
- Hieronyma macrocarpa
- Eugenia stipitata
- Befaria glauca
- Hesperomeles glabrata
- ''Drymis granantesis''
Mammals
Birds
Fulica ardesiaca- Pied-billed grebe
- Black-crowned night heron
- Rufous-collared sparrow
- Red-crested cotinga
- Great thrush
- Glossy-black thrush
- Spectacled whitestart
- Golden-fronted whitestart
- Slaty brushfinch
- Sparkling violetear
- Collared inca