Hato El Frio

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El Frío Biological Station
The biological station and visitor facilities are located in the heart of El Frío ranch, about 90 miles west of San Fernando de Apure, in Apure state, Venezuela. Located on both sides of the San Fernando-Mantecal road, El Frío encompasses about 200,000 acres. The site is a functioning cattle ranch, which supports 45,000 head of cattle and 1,000 horses. Combining its cattle raising activity with research and ecotourism, Hato El Frío represents one of the best examples of the ecosystems of the flooded llanos. Beyond the ubiquitous spectacled caimans and capybaras, the ranch is home to large flocks of herons, ibises, and storks that congregate around watering holes. El Frío is actively involved in conservation issues, serving as a breeding station for rare Orinoco crocodiles. The research center is located in this unique environment, where since 1974, a group of Spanish biologists, in conjunction with international organizations (UNESCO, Fundación La Salle), has succeeded in combining programs of conservation, research, environmental awareness, ecotourism and traditional cattle ranching.

The climate is tropical, with two distinct seasons: dry and rainy, which modify the landscape dramatically. A flat landscape cut by streams and rivers, with patches of gallery forest characterize El Frío. It has been recognized internationally as a wildlife refuge and outstanding natural site, where several rare and threatened species like the Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius), Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Felis concolor), and river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) are protected. Anacondas, spectacled caimans, capybaras, anteaters, and red howler monkeys are also common. Birds are well represented with about 270 different species. Egrets, ibises, and storks congregrate in large numbers along the rivers and streams, and nest in large colonies. Among the most striking species are scarlet ibises, jabirus, hoatzins, scarlet macaws, sunbitterns and