Important tourist site in eastern Cuba prepares to receive nature tourists

HAVANA, Cuba Oct 29 (ACN) The largest population of the Acutus crocodile in the world, abundant bird species, and well-preserved vegetation, which can be accessed through estuaries, make Monte Cabaniguán, in Las Tunas, the first nature tourism route planned for this eastern Cuban province. Located in the municipality of Jobabo, in the south of Las Tunas, with an area of 14,500 hectares, the territory is preparing to welcome lovers of the natural landscape, where visitors will have as their main attraction the artificial crocodile farm and in the centre the Don Miguel Álvarez del Toro biological station. This laboratory has essential equipment for the observation and study of the reptile, whose founder Dr. Manuel Alonso Tabet (recently deceased) revealed that this species of crocodile does not attack man, only in defence of its young, and jumps the nets when it tries to capture them.

Fifteen kilometres from this artificial breeding area, there is a zoo with animals in captivity to facilitate observation and release them back into their habitat for monitoring.

Studies carried out in this natural refuge have revealed the existence of 240 species of fauna, among them well-known birds such as catey, churroso woodpecker, banana sijú, coconuts, heron, long-tailed hawk and peregrine falcon, as well as lizards and iguanas.

Monte Cabaniguán's greatest marine influence is found in the mangroves, where five species are identified: Red Mangrove, Red Mangrove, Red Mangrove, Yana, Pataban and the palms of the Copernicia genus.

This paradisiacal enclave benefits from the Archipiélago Sur International Project, sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme and the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.