Wildlife Center in Peru Has Largest Biodiversity Among Reptiles and Amphibians

If you're a wildlife buff and have yet to visit Peru's Manu National Park, then you're missing out on the world's most diverse and protected area for reptiles and amphibians on the planet.

The Manu Wildlife Center is located in Southeastern Peru and is near the foot of the Andes Mountains. The park sports 30 miles of scientifically designed forest trails to view their bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, and plant diversity. Manu boasts 1,000 of the world's 9,700 bird species, 200 species of mammals, and 15,000 species of flowering plants. And recently, scientists have totaled a record 287 species of snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, and salamanders.

Previously, Yasuni National Park in Ecuador held the record with 150 amphibian and 121 reptile species, which was last counted in 2010. But Manu Wildlife Center took the reigns this year when scientists recorded 155 amphibian species and 132 reptile species. Some of Manu's numerous species are new, including some aquatic lizards and tiny frogs, according to Live Science.

Manu Wildlife Center also has tour programs for visitors. They provide lodges with private bungalows in their all-inclusive package plan. For four days and three nights it will cost about $1,500 per person, which includes the bungalow, round-trip transportation, meals and snacks, waters and juices, a bilingual naturalist guide, visits to various wildlife trails and centers that the national park has to offer. If you're interested, here's the itinerary for the four-day tour.

However, despite all of the scenic and beautiful natural life, threats still remain for these wildlife and native peoples living in the park settlements. Deforestation, gold mining, and oil and gas drilling pose enormous environmental issues. The buffer zone around the national park is slowly being encroached upon. But due to the renowned features of the Manu National Park, wildlife officials and scientists worldwide will be sure to defend what it has to offer, regardless of what's at stake.

To read more about the biodiversity at Peru's Manu National Park, visit this Live Science article.