KAA IYA NATIONAL PARK: The World’s newest Jaguar viewing destination
Covering an area of over 34,411km2 the Kaa Iya
National Park is part of the Great Gran Chaco, which is the world’s largest dry
tropical woodland and 2nd largest forest behind the Amazon. The
Bolivian Side of Kaa Iya National park represents the largest protected area in
Bolivia, larger than Belgium and is the world’s most pristine Chaco Forest.
Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility the wildlife
in this park has thrived to a point where it can now be considered as one of
the last remaining areas on the planet where Jaguars, Pumas and Tapirs can be
seen with relative frequency. To date
the park holds 880 species of vascular plants, 1500 species of higher plants,
59 large mammals, 65 small mammals, 301 birds and 89 different species of reptiles.
Species to note inside the park include the endemic
and previously deemed extinct Chaco or Solitary Peccary which is a prehistoric
native pig, The Guanaco which is a weird llama like creature which was wiped
out Bolivia wide, its population is sadly now under 200 and Kaa Iya National
Park remains its last stronghold.
Of All the creatures found inside the park the iconic
Jaguar holds the most interest, sadly its beauty and reputation once made it one
of the worlds most persecuted species, the Bolivian Chaco was a favourite place
for trophy hunters from all over the world to come and attempt to shoot one,
thankfully with greater protection the Jaguar in the Chaco has thrived to a
point where it Kaa Iya can almost rival the Brazilian Pantanal as an
alternative for Big Cat sightings and as a Jaguar viewing destination, recent
camera trap surveys by the Wildlife Conservation Society in 3 main areas of the
Kaa Iya National Park have suggested that a population of over 1000 Jaguars
lives within the Park which makes it one of the last strongholds of these
magnificent felines.
Tourist who are adventurous enough to visit Kaa Iya
National Park have an excellent chance to see Jaguars and Kaa Iya is usually
the first place in Bolivia photographers and biologists chose to visit when
wishing to film them, The Jaguar is not the only big cat which lives within the
Park, the Puma or Mountain Lion is relatively common however its shy and elusive
nature makes it hard to see, Ocelots, Jaguarundi, Geoffrys Cats and Margays
make up the remaining Felines. Tapirs, Giant Anteaters, Giant Armadillos,
Monkeys, Solitary Peccaries and more are also found in abundance here.
Due to its remoteness visiting the Park is not easy
and as a Gas Company controls parts of the Park the only way to enter the best
areas is via local Tour Operators.
The below tour operators are experts in visiting this National Park and specialize in Jaguar watching inside the Park:
The below tour operators are experts in visiting this National Park and specialize in Jaguar watching inside the Park:
The
conditions inside this park are tough, touristic facilities are minimal, the temperature
can reach over 45 degrees, and basically every tree is covered in spikes making
it one of the world’s harshest National Parks, There is very little rain for
most of the year and when the rain finally arrives the Park floods. Trips to this park are not luxurious, it’s a
very challenging environment however those who do wish to brave the tough
elements of Kaa Iya National Park are rewarded with some of the very best
Wildlife viewing and Jaguar watching opportunities found anywhere on the
Planet.
