Cuero y Salado
Country: Honduras.

37 kilometers west of La Ceiba between the Cuero & Salado rivers, on the Carribean Coast is the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Reserve. The reserve comprises of 132 km2 of wetlands and coastline, and was designated a protected area in 1986 because of it's endangered Manatee population also there was a need to protect some of Honduras' coastal wetlands. Much of the north coast of Honduras was once covered by similar wetlands. But alot has been converted to pasture or plantations the remaining areas of mangroves and wetlands in Honduras face alot of pressure from uncontrolled deforestation, increased coastal development, population pressures and unsustainable development.

15 rivers that orginate in the Nombre de Dios mountains influence the refuge.The plants of the Mangroves here have become adapted to the conditions of the salty sea. Mangroves are plants of different families but with the same typical characteristics, as aerial roots, salt glands. The roots provide the plant with nutrients.The aerial roots or pores serve as respirators; the salt glands are secreting salt. The bark of the mangrove trees is secreting a substance called Tannin, which is responsible for the dark coloration of the lagoon water. The mangroves on the Caribbean coast are often not directly situated on the open sea, but protected by sandy beaches or coral reefs from wind and waves. Lagoons and mangroves are also exposed to the tides. Mangroves and Wetlands serve as an extremely important buffer-protection zone for the surrounding area during storms and floods.The refuge includes areas of wetlands where the dominating species is The Zapaton ( Pachira Aquatica ) , Santa Maria ( Calophllum Brasiliense ), Sangre ( Virola Koschyn ) and Palm ( Roystonea Dunlapiana ). These species are threatened in the region, due to them being used locally for construction purposes.

The canals and rivers are dominated by areas of Mangroves. Mainly the Red Mangrove ( Rhizophora Mangle ) which is raipidly disappearing in Honduras. For many years the bark has been used in leather tannery, also the wood is of high value for construction and as firewood.

The rivers, lagoons and canals are also home to a great number of Hidrofilas plants, Nymphaea Ampla, Ceratophyllum SP, Salvinia SP and Eichhornia SP. The reserve and surrounding area has also many coconut and tropical fruit trees which where originally planted by Standard Fruit ( the orginal owners of the reserve). Some of these trees are still used for local fruit production. These trees are very important for the wildlife of the park, especially the birds as they supply a good source of food.

Another important function of the mangroves is that the fauna of the mangroves uses the mangroves` root-system, above and below water for protection. Mangroves play a very important role in the biodiversity of the sea, a lot of fish, crustaceans and other marine species breed there. Juveniles use the area for protection until they reach a size that is big enough to reduce there natural enemies. Shrimp farming (in Spanish called camarones) could become an important economic factor in Cuero y Salado, as they are in the pacific coast of Honduras. But, it needs to be done ecologically - not as it is done in the pacific - by destroying the mangroves to improve company benefits.

The marine fauna is a perfect source of food for birds. Around 197 species have been counted so far in Cuero y Salado. A few species that reside here are the Great Blue Heron, Blue Winged Teal, Snowy Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork, Common Black Hawk, Osprey, Great Curassow, Northern Jacana, White Fronted Parrot, Red Lored Parrot, Green Kingfisher, Pigmy Kingfisher, Black Bellied Whistling Duck, Boat-Billed Heron and the Anhinga. The refuge is also a way station-stop over for many migratory birds which are found here between April-May and August-September.
The refuge is also home to many other species of animals. Manatees, Howler and White faced Monkeys, Jaguars, Ocelots, Tamanadu Anteaters, Agoutis, Iguanas, River and Sea Turtles, Crocodiles, Caimans and a huge diversity of fish species these are but a few of the species found in the reserve.

The main endangered Fauna species in the reserve are the Manatees, and 2 species of Caiman, Crocodylus Acutus and Caiman Sclerops Fuscus. These species are threatened because they are continually hunted for meat and their skin. The refuge is helping greatly the local populations of these threatened species stabilise.

Cuero y Salado can be visited easy from La Ceiba on a day trip. A visitors center is equipped with basic services and 2 bungalows that can sleep 4 people each. You need to bring all your own food and water. There a few walking tracks that are good for exploring the Refuge. Local guides can be hired which is a good idea because they are very knowlegdeable about the flora and fauna in the Refuge. The mangroves can only be reached by boat. The park offers 2 hr guided boat trips to the Mangroves. Here you will experience the Mangroves at their best, the advantage of a boat is that you can drift silently ( motor off ) , this is perfect for experiencing the sounds of the mangroves, and it offers a great chance to silently sneak up on waterbirds and animals. Located a short walk from the visitors center is a nice stretch of beach, perfect for a relaxing swim. Access to the Refuge is quiet easy and actually fun. From the park entrance it is 9 kms to the visitors center, this can be walked easily by just following the railroad line. Or a more fun way to enter is on a Burra, a human propelled rail cart.

This information was provided by Dean Milverton and Mesoamerican Travel, for EcoTouring Honduras.