Jamaica: Eco-Tourism

Nature and Wildlife

There are over 256 number of different species of birds in Jamaica. There are 25 species and 21 sub-species of birds that are found nowhere else on earth. The tropical richness and natural beauty is natures compliment to these rare species of birds and the uniqueness of the Island. The National Bird is the humming bird "Doctor Bird" lives only in Jamaica. This is one of the most outstanding of all species of humming birds. For birdwatching the Blue Mountains, Cockpit Country and Marshall's Pen are notable for their scheduled tours. There are over 100 species of birds including the hummingbird which includes one of the smallest in the world, the Vervain Hummingbird. There are 22 species of bats, 133 species of butterflies including the largest specie of them all, the Swallowtail Butterfly, snakes and mongoose, these mongoose were imported to get rid of snakes, they did such an excellent job that in order for them to survive they began to feed on chickens. Now they are a nuisance to farmers. There are wild hogs.

Jamaica was described as the Island of wood and water. Consequently it supports a Large vegetation of plant-life. There are over 3000 species of plants with over 800 of these not found anywhere else. There are approximately 550 varieties of fern, with over 300 that are found in Fern Gully. In the Island waters there are crocodiles, seals, sea cows , Lizards, iguana and the coney.

Rainforest

Jamaica has the largest dry forest in the Caribbean, it also has a rainforest with an annual Rainfall slightly below that of the Cameroon.

In cooperation with American Express Jamaica is now developing a pilot program for nature swamp which will serve as an environmental model for others

Sanctuaries

In 1989 the Government established two national parks The Blue Mountain National Park and the Montego Bay Marine Park and has forbidden the hunting of American crocodile , the yellow and blackbilled parrot and all species of sea turtle.