Blue And John Crow National Park, Jamaica

There are a few national parks in Jamaica, but
the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park
in the southeast is by far the most magnificent.
The parklands encompass more than 306 square
kilometres, which accounts for almost 5 percent
of Jamaica's entire land surface - a major
accomplishment for the protection of
biodiversity! In fact, the park carries such
significant cultural and natural elements; it
was nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO World
Heritage Site lists of 2011.

Aside from the obvious natural beauty of Blue
and John Crow Mountains National Park, the
biodiversity that lies within is world-renowned.
For example, it is one of just two habitats
remaining for the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly.
The Jamaican Giant Swallowtail (as it is also
called), has an average wingspan of six inches,
and is the grandest of the Papilio genus. Three
separate foes, unfortunately, put this lovely
insect at risk. Deforestation, mining, farming
and development have contributed to a loss of
habitat. Second, parasitic wasps feed on the
eggs and cocooned Swallowtails. Finally,
butterfly collectors have been known to harvest
the Swallowtails in all stages of their life
cycles.

One other endangered species enjoying protection
in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park
is the Jamaican Blackbird. This little bird is
not related to any other living blackbird, at
least according to molecular systematics. It has
a notable wheezing call, short legs, black
feathers, and a small body overall. The
blackbird finds its food in the bark of trees
and relies upon large thick forests of trees
that support plants growing on the trees
themselves. The Giant Swallowtail Butterfly,
shares many of the same attributes that make
the Jamaican Blackbird prominent on the
endangered species list. Deforestation due to
mining, farming, and development is killing the
habitat of the Jamaican Blackbird.

Habitat loss is a an affliction effecting far
too many species of plant and animal life around
the world. Pressure has been placed on
governments to re-think their land use policies,
and fortunately, several groups have had some
success with their cause. Endangered species
have much to thank for the The Blue and John
Crow Mountain National Park which is a wonderful
achievement for the conservation movement. The
job is not yet finished, but there has been
progress. With each successful breeding season
that passes, one more step has been made towards
the re-emergence of vulnerable species. The
non-venomous snake, the Jamaican Boa, was once
listed as critically endangered, but is now on a
more hopeful path of survival. Today, this
species of boa has purged in numbers and been
declassified down to 'vulnerable'. Conservation
efforts do work, it just takes time!


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