47 images Created 25 Feb 2013
Palawan - Puerto Princesa Underground River
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, also called the Puerto Princesa Underground River, is a site of global significance. The park features spectacular limestone or karst scenery with a cave system extending for 24 km, and an 8.2 km long underground section of the Cabayugan River that flows directly to the sea. The lower 4 km is navigable by boat. The cave includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers, including the 360 meter long Italian’s Chamber, one of the largest in the world. The park contains mountain to sea ecosystems, with moist forests, which are among the most significant in Asia and noted for high levels of endemism, descending to mangroves, sea grass beds and coral reefs. It was established as a National Park in 1971 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
The park has a range of forest formations representing eight of the thirteen forest types found in tropical Asia. More than 800 plant species have been identified, including 295 trees dominated by dipterocarps. Of the 252 bird species found in Palawan, 165 species, including all of the endemic species, have been recorded in the park. In addition there are 30 known mammal species, 19 reptiles, 8 of which are endemic, and 10 species of amphibians. Dugong and hawksbill turtles feed in the coastal areas of the park. Inside the cave there are 9 species of bats and 2 species of swiftlets. One of my most memorable wildlife experiences in Palawan was being able to paddle my kayak up the river after normal opening hours, when the two “shifts” were passing each other. Just as the swiftlets were returning to roost in the cave after foraging outside in the day, the bats were heading out for the night. The coastline of the park with the surrounding forested mountains, and the setting of the entrance to the underground river near the beach, is unquestionably one of the most beautiful locations that I have ever been to anywhere in the world.
The park has a range of forest formations representing eight of the thirteen forest types found in tropical Asia. More than 800 plant species have been identified, including 295 trees dominated by dipterocarps. Of the 252 bird species found in Palawan, 165 species, including all of the endemic species, have been recorded in the park. In addition there are 30 known mammal species, 19 reptiles, 8 of which are endemic, and 10 species of amphibians. Dugong and hawksbill turtles feed in the coastal areas of the park. Inside the cave there are 9 species of bats and 2 species of swiftlets. One of my most memorable wildlife experiences in Palawan was being able to paddle my kayak up the river after normal opening hours, when the two “shifts” were passing each other. Just as the swiftlets were returning to roost in the cave after foraging outside in the day, the bats were heading out for the night. The coastline of the park with the surrounding forested mountains, and the setting of the entrance to the underground river near the beach, is unquestionably one of the most beautiful locations that I have ever been to anywhere in the world.
