What are the special features of the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary?

The Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary includes the Malpelo Island and the surrounding waters, located 506 km away from Columbian Mainland. The extensive marine park is home to numerous threatened species. Malpelo was declared a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2006. It is the largest area in the Eastern Tropical Pacific where fishing is prohibited.

Since it is a major source of nutrients, diverse marine species flock to these waters. Giant grouper, billfish, short-nosed ragged-toothed shark, hammerhead sharks, deepwater shark and silky sharks are some of the marine animals spotted here. Swarms of sharks seen in these waters make it a popular destination for shark- diving.

The Malpelo Island that forms a part of the sanctuary is guarded by the Colombian Armed Forces. The island has a barren rock with three peaks. Cerro de la Mona is the highest peak with a height of 300 metres. Droppings of the bird guano are the main source of nutrients for the colonies of lichen, mosses, algae, ferns and shrubs growing on the island.

Picture Credit : Google

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