REFUGIO DE FAUNA CINCO LEGUAS

Description. A wildlife reserve on the north coast of central Cuba, comprising islands inter-connected by lagoons, with bays, saltmarshes, mangrove swamps and some woodland, accessed exclusively by boat. Extent 3611 ha. Established in 1992. 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, 256 (34 species endemic to Cuba); Bacteria, 0; Chromista, 0; Fungi, 0; Plantae, 95; Protozoa, 0. Numbers of endangered species: Animalia, 8; 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. Illegal hunting and logging. Endangered and endemic species in need of active management, particularly Anolis equstris cincolegua (Iguanidae), Cyctura nubila (Iguanidae), Capromys pilorides (jutía conga), Phoenicopterus ruber (flamingo), Cerion microstomum cardenense (Gastropoda), Pfeiffericoptis insulana (Gastropoda), Fraxinus cubensis (Oleaceae), Trichechus manatus (manatee), . Degraded mangrove swamps and evergreen microphyllous woodland in need of restoration. Need to control harmful introduced species. Environmental education needed to raise awareness of dangers to the reserve from sugar factories, rum distilleries and other threats. Lack of appreciation locally of the importance of the reserve.

Project work. A 145 page management plan was produced with support from the Darwin Initiative project Biodiversity Conservation in Cuba.