Santuario Playa Boca de Apiza - El Chupadero - El Tecuanillo. 02/02/08; Colima; 40 ha; 18o45'N 103o49'W. Natural coastal wetland with dominant thorn scrubs and low deciduous forest vegetation, and in the surroundings, coastal dunes, seagrass beds and mangroves. Three of the 7 species of marine turtles registered in Mexico hatch their eggs in these beaches: Lepidochelys olivacea, Dermochelys coriacea, and Chelonia agassizi. The Sanctuary provides a habitat for a number of resident and migratory, terrestrial and aquatic birds, many of which are threatened or endangered, such as the Wood Stork (Mycteria americana), the Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), the Bare-throated Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum), and the Agami Heron (Agamia agami). Agriculture, livestock, fishing and tourism are the most common activities in the site. Among the threats are the hunting of female turtles during their hatching period to obtain meat, eggs, oil, depredation of nests by wild and introduced species, and contamination of nest zones, among others. The site is listed under IUCN Management Categories: Ia (Strict Nature Reserve), Ib (Wilderness Area), IV (Habitat/Species Management Area) and VI (Managed Resource Protected Area). The Park has had a management plan since 2003. Ramsar site no. 1764. Most recent RIS information: 2008.

Colima