Pripris de Yiyi Reserve

Pripris de Yiyi Reserve

Crique et Pripri Yiyi in French Guiana is a protected area. The territory is a wetland and, since 2008, it is also a Ramsar site with the name Estuaire du fleuve Sinnamary. It is made up of tidal flats, mangroves, fresh water swamps and seasonally flooded savannahs. The Crique et Pripri Yiyi is found on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the communes of Iracoubo and Sinnamary, and it is bordered by the rivers of Iracoubo and Sinnamary. West Indian Manatees, Bush Dogs, Capybaras and Common Squirrel Monkeys live in the area, and many migratory birds are attracted to the wetlands. The numbers of Semipalmated Sandpipers can be as high as one million birds. Among the other birds are Masked Duck, Muscovy Duck, Snail Kite and Scarlet Ibis, and the Green Sea Turtle nests and forages on the beach. Several rare orchids including Habenaria pratensis, Habenaria trifida and Habenaria longicauda are found in the area. The site, called Maison de la Nature, can be accessed from the RN1 near the town of Sinnamary. Through the marshes, a 2.5-kilometer footpath has been built. Within the reserve are two observatories and an observation tower near the entrance. There is also an ecological museum that can be visited free of charge.