Fauna and flora, Isla Santay Wetland, Ecuador

The Isla Santay is located in the Guayas River, 800 meters away from the big city of Guayaquil in Ecuador. This wetland was declared a Ramsar Site in 2000 and declared a National Heritage Site by the Republic of Ecuador in 2010.
This small island of 2,075 ha. corresponding in extension to the fifth part of Guayaquil is home to about 128 bird species, several reptiles such as iguanas, turtles and boas, as well as mammals like anteaters, ocelots, bats and the mapache (crab-eating raccoon or South American racoon).
Its mangrove is also an invaluable nesting place for various crustaceans, fish, and invertebrates.
About 72 families (315 people in 2021) currently live on the island. Their resources are mainly drawn from fisheries and ecotourism.
Since 2014, the city of Guayaquil and Santay Island communicate through a 840 meters long pedestrian bridge, which purpose is to improve environmental education of urban visitors and to increase the living standard of the island population.