Jaú National Park

Some Amazon rivers are dark, like tea. Bits of old leaves color the water.

When the rivers rise, the water floods into the forest.

Jaú is part of the Lower Rio Negro region. NASA says the Rio Negro's 'black-tea' water carries almost no sediment and is colored by decayed leaves and plant matter.

UNESCO says the Central Amazon Conservation Complex, which includes Jaú, has dryland forests and forests that are flooded from time to time, called várzea and igapó. Its river channels, lakes and landforms are always changing.

The park belongs to the Mosaic of Protected Areas of the Lower Rio Negro (CNUC). NASA describes the Rio Negro's black-tea-colored water as nearly sediment-free and colored by decayed leaf and plant matter, unlike the sediment-rich Solimões.

UNESCO: the Complex contains most Amazonian ecosystems, including dryland forest and periodically flooded várzea and igapó forests, black- and white-water courses, waterfalls, swamps, lakes and beaches; its flooded forests form a constantly changing mosaic of river channels, lakes and landforms. The dryland forests making up much of Jaú and Amanã are virtually pristine wilderness.

In the World Heritage area around Jaú, giant otters and manatees swim in the rivers. Jaguars and harpy eagles live in the forest.

Many animals come out at night.

UNESCO says the Central Amazon Conservation Complex protects rare and endangered animals such as the giant otter, the Amazonian manatee, the black caiman and two kinds of river dolphins. Jaguars and harpy eagles live there too.

The pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish in South America, swims in its waters, and 64 kinds of electric fish have been found. Much of the wildlife comes out at night.

UNESCO lists, across the Complex, the giant otter, Amazonian manatee and black caiman (endangered water species), the bald uakari and other primates, the jaguar and harpy eagle (Near Threatened), the pirarucu (Arapaima gigas, largest freshwater fish in South America) and two river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis, Sotalia fluviatilis).

The Complex is an Endemic Bird Area and Centre of Plant Diversity, protects about 60% of the fish species of the Negro watershed and 60% of the birds recorded in the Central Amazon, and holds 64 electric fish species; much of its wildlife is nocturnal.

Jaú was made a park in 1980 to keep its forest and rivers safe.

Scientists study it, and visitors can learn about it.

UNESCO first listed Jaú National Park as a World Heritage Site in 2000. In 2003 three more protected areas were added, and together they became the Central Amazon Conservation Complex.

The park is managed by ICMBio, Brazil's federal agency for protected areas. UNESCO says research and environmental education are encouraged, and that local Indigenous people should keep being involved in managing the area.

Jaú National Park was inscribed in 2000; in 2003 the property was extended with Anavilhanas National Park and the Amanã and Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserves to form the Central Amazon Conservation Complex (UNESCO; property 5,232,018 ha). National parks there are managed by ICMBio, an autonomous federal agency under the Ministry of the Environment.

UNESCO notes that the boundaries are mostly natural river boundaries, that Jaú and Mamirauá need well-defined public use plans, and that Indigenous people should continue to be involved in management.

In the rainforest, cover your arms and legs to stop mosquito bites.

Always wear a life jacket in a boat, and stay with a grown-up near water.

Mosquitoes can spread germs that make people sick. The CDC says to use insect repellent and wear loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

Rivers are the main way through the park. The CDC says children near water need close, constant supervision, even if they can swim.

CDC mosquito guidance: EPA-registered repellents, loose-fitting long sleeves and pants; mosquitoes bite day and night. CDC drowning guidance: drowning can happen in seconds and is often silent; children need close and constant supervision near water even after swimming lessons.

PlayOwl's advice: travel with licensed local guides, and wear a life jacket in boats.