War Against Invaders
Costa Rica is at war with the
invaders of Cocos Island, six
species of animals and four of
plants.
The struggle is aimed at
preventing the national park
from losing its original
biodiversity and preserving its
condition of Mankind Natural
Heritage.
A team of experts from the
Ministry of the Environment and
the United Nations Program for
Development is in charge of the
operation, which includes
hunting the invading animal
species –taken by man to the
island, located 532 kilometers
from the mainland (over 330
miles)–, and eradicating the
vegetable ones, that include
coffee.
According to historians, Spanish
sailors, English pirates, and
Costa Ricans have introduced the
species along centuries.
Cats, for example, arrived in
1879, common rats in 1935, and
pigs in 1973. Most plants,
including coffee, were
introduced in 1899, to address
the needs of treasure hunters,
lured by the alleged riches
buried by pirates in the island.
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