Pedra Branca State Park
30-05-2020
The Pedra Branca State Park is an environmental protection unit in the western part of the municipality of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It is recognized as one of the largest urban forests in the world and the largest in Brazil. With an area of ??12,500 hectares, it covers all areas over 100 m high in the Massif da Pedra Branca and occupies land in 17 different districts of Rio de Janeiro, which make up about 10% of the urban area. The highest point of the park, the 1,025 meter high Pico da Pedra Branca, is also the highest point in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The park plays a central role in the city's water and climate balance and protects more than 50% of the city's remaining Atlantic forest, which is considered one of the richest and most endangered biomes in Brazil. Pedra Branca State Park is part of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve, declared by UNESCO in 1992, and integrates the Serra do Mar Biodiversity Corridor and the Mosaico Carioca. The fauna, which is characterized by the presence of species native to the Atlantic forest, includes 338 bird, 51 mammal, 27 reptile, 20 amphibian and 43 fish registered species.
Picture: Ocelot_(Jaguatirica)_Zoo_Itatiba