| Monte Alén National Park | |
| Iucn Category: | II |
| Location: | Equatorial Guinea |
| Map: | Equatorial Guinea mainland |
| Map Width: | 200 |
| Coordinates: | 1.53°N 10.11°W |
| Area: | 2000km2 |
| Established: | 1990 |
Monte Alén National Park (Spanish; Castilian: Parque nacional de Monte Alén) is located near the center of Equatorial Guinea. It was established in 1990. With an area of,[1] it is the country's largest national park. The goliath frog (Conraua goliath), one of the prominent amphibians found in the park, is the biggest frog in the world; hunting it is prohibited.
The park has an area of and lies within the elevation range of 300-. It was declared a national park under a presidential decree in 2000 in addition to 13 other areas.[2]
The highest peaks of Monte Alén and Monte Mitra lie within the limits of the park. Uoro River lies to the west of the park. The eastern part of the park is bounded by the Niefang-Gabon road. There are a few patches of rock outcrops. Lake Atoc (Lago Atoc) has forest cover throughout its entire catchment.[2] [3]
Trekking paths are well laid out in the park. Logging operation within the park is fully controlled.
The climate is hot humid equatorial, with an average temperature of about in the lowland area and 20- in the highlands. The mean annual rainfall is between 3000-.[2]
The park has recorded 265 species of birds. Some of the prominent species include three montane species (Coracina caesia, Dryoscopus angolensis, and Phylloscopus herberti); Phylloscopus budongoensis (the only species of warbler found in the park); Picathartes oreas; Melignomon zenkeri; Muscicapa tessmanni and Batis minima.[3]
The park has 105 mammal species which includes 16 species of primates.[4]
Some of the primate species recorded include Colobus satanas, Cercocebus torquatus, mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx), gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Other mammal species include bush elephants (Loxodonta africana), forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis), and shrews (Crocidura grassei).[3]
Sixty-five species of reptiles are reported,[4] including crocodiles. Amphibians include Petropedetes palmipes[5] and Leptodactylodon stevarti[6] which are in the IUCN Red List. Goliath frogs (Conraura goliath) are found in the southern part of the park.[3]
In 1989, conservation of the forest area of the park was zoned for purpose of awarding concessions for logging, and agroforestry activities were encouraged. A study conducted under USAID observed that hunting of mammals in the park was a serious issue which needed urgent remedial conservation action.[2] By 2005, Caldecott reported that agriculture, hunting, and logging were not allowed in the park.