Wildlife of Peru

A Peruvian llama overlooking the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu

Peru has some of the greatest biodiversity in the world. It belongs to the select group of mega diverse countries because of the presence of the Andes, Amazon rainforest, and the Pacific Ocean. It has the fourth-most tropical forests of any country and the ninth-most forest area. The country is ranked among the five countries with the greatest biodiversity in the world according to various studies.

Natural protected areas

Further information: List of protected areas of Peru

The 1993 Constitution of Peru recognized the natural resources and ecosystems of Peru as part of its heritage. In 1999, the National System of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sistema Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado, SINANPE) was established by the Peruvian government. SINANPE consists of natural areas under national administration, managed and overseen by the National Service of Natural Protected Areas by the State (SERNANP). They also created a map of protection and preservation of historical–cultural heritage and nature.

Peru has 76 natural protected areas (more of 15% of the country surface area) that are preserved by the national government: 15 national parks, 9 national sanctuaries, 4 historical sanctuaries, 17 national reserves, 3 wildlife refuges, 2 landscape reserves, 10 communal reserves, 6 protected forests, 2 hunting enclosed lands and 8 reserved zones. A map was also created containing the natural protected areas.

Manú National Park, Río Alto Madre de Dios

National parks

National parks are areas designated for the protection and preservation of wildlife and scenic beauty. In these areas, the exploitation of natural resources and human settlements are prohibited. The oldest national park in Peru is Cutervo, created in 1961 in the department of Cajamarca, known for its numerous caves such as San Andrés, home to the oilbird, a nocturnal bird in danger of extinction.

Other notable national parks include:

• Tingo María (Huánuco), famous for the Cave of the Owls, also inhabited by oilbirds.
• Manu (Madre de Dios and Cusco), one of the most representative areas of Amazonian biodiversity, recognized as the Manu Biosphere Reserve and a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
• Huascarán (Áncash), dominated by Mount Huascarán, the highest mountain in Peru, and home to the largest species of bromeliad, Puya raimondii, and various animal species.
• Cerros de Amotape (Piura and Tumbes), characterized by its dry forests and endangered species such as the Tumbes crocodile.
• Río Abiseo (San Martín), included in the UNESCO Natural and Cultural World Heritage.
• Yanachaga-Chemillén (Pasco), which preserves tropical forests and has important archaeological sites.
• Bahuaja-Sonene (Madre de Dios and Puno), which includes tropical forests and the Heath pampas.

National reserves

National reserves are areas designated for the protection and propagation of wildlife. Some of the most important include:

• Pampa Galeras-Bárbara D’Achille (Ayacucho), dedicated to the vicuña.
• Junín (Junín), which protects the ecosystem and biodiversity of Lake Junín.
• Paracas (Ica), focused on the conservation of marine ecosystems and cultural heritage.
• Lachay (Lima), intended for the restoration and protection of the Lachay hill ecosystem.
• Pacaya-Samiria (Loreto), which conserves lowland forest ecosystems and promotes native populations.
• Salinas y Aguada Blanca (Arequipa and Moquegua), for the conservation of flora, fauna, and landscape formations.
• Calipuy (La Libertad), focused on the protection of guanacos.
• Titicaca (Puno), dedicated to the conservation of the ecosystems and landscapes of Lake Titicaca.

Rock formations at Huayllay

Other conservation units

In addition to national parks and reserves, Peru has various protection units, including:

• National sanctuaries such as Huayllay, Calipuy, Lagunas de Mejía, Ampay, Manglares de Tumbes, and Tabaconas Namballe.
• Historical sanctuaries such as Chacramarca, Pampas de Ayacucho, and Machu Picchu.
• National forests such as Biabo Cordillera Azul, Mariscal Cáceres, Pastaza-Morona-Marañón, and Alexander von Humboldt.
• Protection forests such as Aledaño Bocatoma del Canal Nuevo Imperial, Puquío Santa Rosa, Pui-Pui, San Matías-San Carlos, Alto Mayo, and Pagaibamba.
• Communal reserves such as Yanesha.
• Hunting reserves such as Sunchubamba and El Angolo.
• Reserved zones such as Manu, Laquipampa, Apurímac, Pantanos de Villa, Tambopata-Candamo, Batán Grande, Algarrobal El Moro, Tumbes, Güeppi, Chancaybaños, and