Barro Colorado Island and Gatun Locks
After spending the night anchored in Gatun Lake, a small boat approached the National Geographic Sea Lion bringing the Panama Canal Pilot. He guided us while we reposition our ship close to Barro Colorado Island. As the sun began to appear, it revealed a lovely, lush and special forest called Loma de Palenquilla. It began to disappear when the area was flooded to create Gatun Lake back in 1904. As the water level began to rise, the hill became an Island loaded with animals that were trying to survive the flood. Having this high concentration of wildlife, it called attention to several scientists. In April 17 of 1923, the island, together with five adjacent peninsulas, formed the 5,400 hectares of Barro Colorado Nature Monument. The Island itself covers an area of 1,500 hectares and is the primary site for the study of lowland moist tropical forests. Seeing the importance for science, it has been administered by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute since 1946.
One of the pioneer scientists of the island came for breakfast, and gave us an interesting introduction to the island. We were excited to go ashore to explore its trails and learn more about the different projects that are held on the island. Some went via Zodiac to explore the island’s surroundings. As the morning began to pass, different animals began to appear next to us. Having almost no fear of us, they just concentrated on foraging close to us. Agoutis, Howler Monkeys, and different species of birds just ignored us and kept going about their daily life. We learned about how different projects have been a great help to understanding the importance of conservation and the strong relationship that should exist between humans and nature.
It had been a wonderful morning. Back on board, while sharing our experiences of the island, a new Pilot came onboard to takes us to Gatun Locks. Our trip was coming to an end. Since we began our trip, we learned something new about conservation each day. We had made new friends and knew we were about to say “Good Bye”. As we enjoyed the transit through Gatun Locks, in which we were lowered 85 feet down to the Caribbean Sea, we admitted that our visit to the Paradise of Costa Rica and Panama had changed our lives forever!
