Bicuari National Park: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Protected area |
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| name = Bicauri/Huila National Park |
| name = Bicauri/Huila National Park |
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| lat_d = -15.28977489 | lat_m = | lat_s = | lat_NS = |
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| area = |
| area = 7900 km² |
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| established = 1964 |
| established = 1964 |
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'''Bicauri National Park''' is a [[List of national parks of Angola|national park]] in [[Angola]]. |
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'''Bicauri National Park''' ([[Portuguese_language|Portugese]]: Parque Nacional do Bicuar; also called '''Bicuar National Park''' or '''Bikuar/Huila National Park''') is a [[List of national parks of Angola|national park]] in [[Angola]]. It is located in the south-west region of the country on the [[Huila|Huila]] Plateau, about 120 km SE of [[Lubango]]. The park is an area of of sandy hills and shrub thicket character. The climate is tropical semi-arid. Bicuar was established as a hunting reserve in 1938, and reformed as a national park in 1964. Historically known for its large mammals, such as the Black Buffalo, the park suffered heavily in the [[Angolan Civil War]] (1975-2002). During this time the animals were mostly or entirely exterminated, but the Angolan Government is now undertaking efforts to rebuild the infrastructure and resettle the animals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Framework Report on Angola's Biodiversity|url=https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/ao/ao-nr-04-en.pdf|work=Republic of Angola, Ministry of Environment, 2004|accessdate=2014-10-30}}</ref> |
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==Natural features== |
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The park is bordered on the East by the [[Cunene River]], one of the few perennial rivers in the region. The dominant vegetation is described as [[Angolan Miombo Woodlands]] and [[Angolan Mopane Woodlands]], an area of savanna and woodlands on the plateau East of the coastal hills.<ref>{{cite web|title=118/119 Biodiversity and Tropical Forest Assessment for Angola|url=http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADL906.pdf|work=USAID, May 2008|accessdate=2014-10-30}}</ref>. Portions of the park are seasonally wet or wetland swamps and [[dambo]] grasslands.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wetlands 5.1, Angola|url=http://ramsar.wetlands.org/Portals/15/ANGOLA.pdf|work=Wetlands International, Ramsar Sites Information Service, p. 12}}</ref> |
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The Bicuar stands at the northern end of a distinct ecoregion known as the Angolan Mopane Woodland <ref>{{cite web|Angolan Mopane Woodland|url=http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150069/|work=Ecoregions, World Wildlife Fund}}</ref>. The area is known for high species richness, variable rainfall, and the importance of mopane trees to the animals and people of the region. |
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The climate of Bicuari is described under the [[Köppen climate classification]] system as ''Temperate highland tropical climate with dry winters'' (Cwb), and the warmest months temperatures averaging below 22 degC. Average rainfall is 600-800mm/year.<ref> {{cite web|title=Climate of the Kunene Basin|url=http://www.kunenerak.org/en/river/climate+and+weather/climate+of+the+kunene+river+basin/climatic+classification.aspx|work=Kunene River Awareness Kit}}</ref> |
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==Animal Life== |
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The area has historically been known for large herds of common antelopes, elephants, and other large mammals. All species populations are believed to have be severely reduced the war (the park was reportedly used as a practice artillery range), poaching, and human encroachment. Since cessation of hostilities, work has begun by the Huila provincial government to rebuild the infrastructure of the park to attract and protect animals. |
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As of 2013, it has been reported that some of the large mammals are returning to Bicuar. The park administrator noted that \"We are happy with the return of herds of elephants into the municipalities of Quipungo, Matala and Gambos, as the animals are recognising their habitat and are reproducing inside the park.\"<ref>{{cite web|title=Animals Return to Bicuar National Park|url=http://www.portalangop.co.ao/angola/en_us/noticias/ambiente/2013/1/5/Animals-return-Bicuar-National-Park,621ab76a-66f5-4849-8fa6-77542e67381f.html|work=Agence Angla Press, February 13, 2013}}</ref>. Besides elephants, the park also reportedly supports antelopes, elands, gnus and zebras<ref>{{cite web|title=Tourism in Angola|url=http://www.angola.org/index.php?page=tourism|work=Republic of Angola, Embassy of Angola, Washington DC}}</ref>. |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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* [http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/jog/southern_africa/sd-33-14-vila_joao_de_almeida-chibia-angola.jpg Topographic Map, Bicuari Region], ''Army Map Service'', US Army, Washington DC, 1966 |
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* [http://triplov.com/angola/Mapas/Angola.htm Map of Angola] ''www.triploc.com'' (Bicuari Park in lower left section) |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Portal|Geography}} |
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{{National Parks of Angola}} |
{{National Parks of Angola}} |
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[[:Category:National parks of Angola]] |
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[[Category: |
[[:Category:Protected areas established in 1964]] |
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[[Category:Protected areas established in 1964]] |
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{{Africa-protected-area-stub}} |
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Revision as of 18:54, 16 November 2014
| Bicauri/Huila National Park | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Location |  |
| Nearest city | Lubango |
| Area | 7900 km² |
| Established | 1964 |
Bicauri National Park (Portugese: Parque Nacional do Bicuar; also called Bicuar National Park or Bikuar/Huila National Park) is a national park in Angola. It is located in the south-west region of the country on the Huila Plateau, about 120 km SE of Lubango. The park is an area of of sandy hills and shrub thicket character. The climate is tropical semi-arid. Bicuar was established as a hunting reserve in 1938, and reformed as a national park in 1964. Historically known for its large mammals, such as the Black Buffalo, the park suffered heavily in the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002). During this time the animals were mostly or entirely exterminated, but the Angolan Government is now undertaking efforts to rebuild the infrastructure and resettle the animals.[1]
Natural features
The park is bordered on the East by the Cunene River, one of the few perennial rivers in the region. The dominant vegetation is described as Angolan Miombo Woodlands and Angolan Mopane Woodlands, an area of savanna and woodlands on the plateau East of the coastal hills.[2]. Portions of the park are seasonally wet or wetland swamps and dambo grasslands.[3]
The Bicuar stands at the northern end of a distinct ecoregion known as the Angolan Mopane Woodland [4]. The area is known for high species richness, variable rainfall, and the importance of mopane trees to the animals and people of the region.
The climate of Bicuari is described under the Köppen climate classification system as Temperate highland tropical climate with dry winters (Cwb), and the warmest months temperatures averaging below 22 degC. Average rainfall is 600-800mm/year.[5]
Animal Life
The area has historically been known for large herds of common antelopes, elephants, and other large mammals. All species populations are believed to have be severely reduced the war (the park was reportedly used as a practice artillery range), poaching, and human encroachment. Since cessation of hostilities, work has begun by the Huila provincial government to rebuild the infrastructure of the park to attract and protect animals.
As of 2013, it has been reported that some of the large mammals are returning to Bicuar. The park administrator noted that \"We are happy with the return of herds of elephants into the municipalities of Quipungo, Matala and Gambos, as the animals are recognising their habitat and are reproducing inside the park.\"[6]. Besides elephants, the park also reportedly supports antelopes, elands, gnus and zebras[7].
References
- ^ "Framework Report on Angola's Biodiversity" (PDF). Republic of Angola, Ministry of Environment, 2004. Retrieved 2014-10-30.
- ^ "118/119 Biodiversity and Tropical Forest Assessment for Angola" (PDF). USAID, May 2008. Retrieved 2014-10-30.
- ^ "Wetlands 5.1, Angola" (PDF). Wetlands International, Ramsar Sites Information Service, p. 12.
- ^ Ecoregions, World Wildlife Fund http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150069/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help); Text "Angolan Mopane Woodland" ignored (help) - ^ "Climate of the Kunene Basin". Kunene River Awareness Kit.
- ^ "Animals Return to Bicuar National Park". Agence Angla Press, February 13, 2013.
- ^ "Tourism in Angola". Republic of Angola, Embassy of Angola, Washington DC.
External links
- Topographic Map, Bicuari Region, Army Map Service, US Army, Washington DC, 1966
- Map of Angola www.triploc.com (Bicuari Park in lower left section)
See also
Category:National parks of Angola Category:Protected areas established in 1964