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Those who choose to study at Rio Muchacho will also take some time to visit the Isla Corazón.
The Isla Corazón (heart Island) is situated near Bahía de Caráquez Ecocity, in the estuary formed by the Chone and Carrizal rivers.
Until 1977 the estuary was proud to have 4.000 ha of mangroves, but with the growing shrimp industry the area has been transformed
and only 400 has of forest remains. Mangroves are an extraordinary species which live in salt water and have an unusually shaped aerial root system.
Many families depended on the mangrove forest and estuary for collecting crab and
shellfish etc.
Sadly they are no longer able to make a livelihood from this, and activities like ecotourism have provided a
good alternative.
Isla Corazón is a tourism project where the local people have been trained and become excellent guides.
Isla Corazón is protected, as a part of the remaining mangrove forest.
The program tour begins with a short Canoe ride that takes you to the Island, where a raised boardwalk has been built.
The boardwalk weaves through the different species of Mangrove to a lookout tower.
After returning to the beginning of the boardwalk you go again by canoe but this time through a magical channel through the mangroves, from one side of
the island to the other. There is a huge colony of mainly frigate birds but also herons, ibis cormorants, American oystercatcher
etc. The frigate birds however are the highlight, especially during the mating season when they are very colorful
displaying their inflated throat sacks.
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