REFUGIO DE FAUNA LANZANILLO-PAJONAL-FRAGOSO

Description. A wildlife reserve on the north coast of central Cuba, important for its bird and manatee populations. Extent 87070 ha (10580 ha terrestrial, 76490 ha marine). Established in 2001. Administered by the Empresa Nacional para la Protección de la Flora y la Fauna, Cuba.

Biodiversity. Numbers of species recorded in the management plan: Animalia, 95; Bacteria, 0; Chromista, 0; Fungi, 0; Plantae, less than 80; Protozoa, 0. Numbers of endangered species: Animalia, at least 3; Bacteria, not known; Chromista, not known; Fungi, not known; Plantae, not known; Protozoa, not known. Lists of animals and plants of the national park are included in the management plan.

Problems. Lack of boats for reserve wardens, leading to inadequate protection of the reserve. Water contamination from local farms, packing plants, building works, electro-chemical firms and human settlements. Uncontrolled trawling, leading to great damage to marine ecosystems. Indiscriminate and illegal use of plants, not least for firewood. Uncontrolled grazing. Illegal hunting, particularly of jutías, manatees and turtles. Introduction of harmful exotic species. Poor public image of the biological station as a result of under-funding. Absence of the resources necessary to develop an environmental education programme. No boats necessary to realize research programmes on the reserve. Lack of suitable motivated staff because of no training facilities. Poor infrastructure for the reserve. Low general awareness of the importance of marine biodiversity as a resource.

Project work. A 103 page management plan was produced with support from the Darwin Initiative project Biodiversity Conservation in Cuba.