This park is the largest (579,000 hectares) in the Republic, created in 1980. UNESCO declared the park a World Patrimony in 1981 and a World Heritage Biosphere in 1983. The Park is under the management of ANAM ( the National Environmental Authority), a government body which operates and administrates the policies and services of the national parks. Many rare and endangered species still live in their natural habitat as it is a protection zone for flora, fauna and indigenous cultures like the Wounaan and Embera who have been recruited to patrol the rivers for poachers. There are 14 park rangers.
The highest peak is Cerro Takarkuna (1,875m), the best location together with Cerro Pirre (1,500 m.) for endemic birds. It is also the largest protected area for big species of mammals such as the jaguar, ocelot, Bairds tapir and the endangered larger birds of prey of the tropics, the Harpy and Crested eagles.
The exceptionally rich park is 20 km wide, abutting 90 percent of the Colombian frontier. ANAM has built three lodging stations (dormitory with beds and cots ) at Río Balsas (also called Río Tucutí); Río Peresenico (also called Cerro Pirre) which is the most accessible, and Cruce de Mono.
A written authorization from ANAM ( the National Environmental Authority)is necessary to enter the park. Call 500-0855. Stipulate how many people will visit the park, time to be spent, guides needed, etc. Bring camping gear and food for your party. You will be met on arrival by a park representative and guides. Mules, horses and boat can be easily arranged. There is no charge for lodging at the stations or guides but tipping is recommended and we suggest making a donation (utensils, boots, binoculars whatever you feel or see is necessary) for the station where you stay. It will be sincerely appreciated.
The park is a marvellous destination for a six-day or even four-day trip. If you are a bird watcher there is no better location in Panama for the rarest species. If not, you can enjoy long walks in the wilderness and take a glance at big mammals, see quantities of monkeys, agoutis, margays, etc, and observe magnificent flora. If you want to see mammals, the best station is Cruce de Mono. Sixty two species of mammals have been seen around Cruce de Mono which embraces a large protected area for such fauna. There are jaguars (Felis onca); margays (Felis wiedii) a spotted cat native to Central America and the Amazon; ocelots (Felis pardalis), cougars (Felis concolor) a tropical mountain lion; packs of wild hogs, Bairds tapirs, monkeys, and others.
For birds watchers, the station is Cerro Pirre located on Rio Peresenico. To get there involves tough nature tourism but it is extremely rewarding. Quetzals abound, including the recently discovered Golden-Headed Quetzal. Ridgely describes many lowland birds in the Rancho Frio foothills and highland species at nearby Cerro Pirre station.
Inside the park is the CANA colonial gold mine whose activities were suspended in the early 1900's. The mine, once the richest of the continent, was the center of the gold mining region so often attacked during the era of privateers.
