Laguna de la Cocha. 08/01/01; Nariño; 39,000 hectares; 01°03'N 077°12'W. Wildlife sanctuary. Largely made up of a volcanic lake and the surrounding highland Andean peatlands and forest, the site support a diverse range of associated flora and fauna, mammals such as the endangered tapir (Tapirus pinchaque), near-threatened Northern pudu (Pudu mephistotels), and the endangered spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus). Important bird species such as Grebe (Podiceps occidentalis), the golden peck duck (Anas georgica spicauda), several species of snipes (Gallinago gallinago paraguaiae, Gallinago nobilis, Gallinago gallinago delicata) and the endemic ducks (Anas cyanoptera borreroi, Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea). Regarding plants there are two important endemic species of frailejon (Espeletia cochensis, Espeletia schultesiana) and Totora (Scirpus californicus, Juncus bogotensis). Human uses include agriculture and aquaculture. The breeding of "cuyes" (Cavia porcelus) generates about 23% of the agricultural product in the Department. The site also has an important cultural value as the indigenous groups of the area, which consider it sacred, use it for purification and fertility. The archaeological values of the site are also considerable, as it was inhabited by Precolombian communities. Ramsar site no. 1047. Most recent RIS information: 2001.

Nariño