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The Ranger
Panama’s National Reserve Parks are cared for by Park Rangers who are responsible for ensuring that the flora and fauna are protected from deforestation and illegal hunting, respectively, that on many occasions are done in dense and isolated areas. The rangers are usually the only “official” presence, many times moving about alone, and must be aware of pertinent safety aspects. At times they are even called upon to help in finding and rescuing people who have become lost in the forests while camping or exploring and enjoying the best of nature.
At Gatun Rainforest Lake Village there will be a ranger available to assist and guide residents and guests around the project and the nearby reserve park in order for them to enjoy the wonders of nature under safe conditions. |
The Sloth
This very slow moving mammal is arboreal and an herbivore eating almost only leaves as its main food. This interesting animal’s outer fur is generally dark brown in color, but sometimes has a green tinge because of the growth of symbiotic bacteria that provide nutrients, as well as some camouflage. Sloths have a small flat head, large eyes, a short nose, and very small ears.
They are generally up in trees for protection from predators that could attack them on the ground, and sometimes sit on branches, but generally eat, sleep and even give birth hanging from limbs.
There are the two-toed and three-toed species. Their hands and feet have long, curved claws to allow them to easily hang upside down from branches. As they are extremely slow in movement, their claws are also their only natural defense from predators such as jaguars, harpy eagles and humans, and will strike out at its attackers to wound or drive them off.
The Toucan
This exotic and brightly colored tropical bird has a distinctively large beak, and feeds on fruits, insects and other small prey such as lizards. They range in size from about 10 to 25 inches, and have short, thick bodies and rounded tails. Some have beaks that are more than half the length of their bodies.
The Monarch Butterfly
This North American butterfly is well known in Panama during it annual migration southward. Its wings have a black and orange pattern. The female butterflies deposit eggs for the next generation during the migration. As a defense against predators, the Monarch Butterfly has a poisonous, unpleasant taste because of cardenolides which the caterpillars ingest while they feed on milkweed. As with many other insects, their bright colors on areas around their skin and wings warn of the dangers to predators.
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The White-headed
Capuchin Monkey
The capuchin monkeys weigh up to almost 3 pounds, and are about 11 - 22 inches long. Their tails, long as their bodies, are prehensile and dexterous and the tip of the tail is often held coiled. They have mostly dark black or brown fur, and white to yellowish fur around their faces, throat and chest. As omnivores, they generally eat fruits, leaves, flowers, and nuts. Insects are also on their diet list, as well as small birds, lizards, squirrels and coatimundis. Their natural enemies include large falcons, cats and snakes.
Capuchin monkeys are very intelligent, and can be trained to assist disabled humans, much in the same way as guide dogs are trained, carrying out simple tasks that the owner may not be able to do. |
The Crocodile
The crocodile is the largest and most developed of all reptiles, and its abilities make it a successful predator. Its streamlined body allows it to swim rapidly, and it also tucks in its feet to reduce water resistance for even more speed.
The crocodile is very fast, even out of water. Though its jaws are powerful, it cannot open its mouth if it is held closed. Therefore, it can be subdued and captured by taping or tying its jaws shut.
The Boa Constrictor
The boa constrictor is a medium-sized to large non-poisonous tropical snake. It is found in Central and South America and often reaches lengths of up to 13 ft. It belongs to the same family as the python and anaconda, which reach lengths of up to about 30 ft. The boa constrictor's life span is about 25 to 30 years. Some boas live in underground holes while others live in trees.
Its prey consists mainly of birds and small mammals such as rats and other animals. The boa constrictor is a beautifully colored reptile, survives well in captivity, and can become docile to the point that some people keep them as pets.
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The Macaw
The macaw is the largest bird in the parrot family and comes in colorful combinations of blue and yellow, red and yellow, scarlet, and other colors depending on the species. They are generally found in virgin rainforests, and feed on fruits, nuts, and flowers. They also gnaw and chew on various objects.
Some people have macaws as pets. However, they require very special attention, and sometimes their behavior can be difficult for their owners to manage.
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The Harpy Eagle
The Harpy Eagle is a tropical eagle and is the largest and most powerful in the Americas. It is commonly gray in color with a white belly, has a 6-foot wingspan, and weighs about 18 lbs. It is also Panama’s national bird, and is on the list of protected and endangered species. One characteristic is its crest of long feathers capable of becoming erect. It is an active carnivore, and generally preys on mammals such as monkeys, coatis and sloth, and may also attack other bird species. |
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The Peacock Bass
Gatun Lake is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes and is the reservoir for the operation of the Panama Canal. The lake also provides excellent fishing for peacock bass, the most abundant fish in the lake, prized for its fighting qualities when hooked. The peacock bass can be identified by dark vertical bars on its body and what resembles the eyes of a peacock on the adults’ tail fin, the feature that gives it its common name.
You can use light tackle and live bait, such as shiny minnows that are the preferred bait for peacock bass. As it is voracious, shiny lures, and even just a shiny hook will attract hungry bass. Bass fishing is so good that you might catch over 40 bass, some weighing over 15 lbs.
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