Serra da Cutia National Park

Serra da Cutia Overview

Serra da Cutia National Park, known locally as Parque Nacional da Serra da Cutia, is a remote and ecologically rich protected area in Brazil. Located in the state of Rondônia, within the vast Amazon biome, the park encompasses approximately 3,968 square miles (10,275 square kilometers).

This expansive and relatively undisturbed area lies in the northwestern portion of Brazil and plays a crucial role in preserving the biodiversity and ecological functions of the greater Amazon Basin.

The terrain of Serra da Cutia is defined by dense tropical rainforest, rolling lowland hills, and scattered wetlands, making it a prime example of Amazonian landscapes. The park lacks prominent mountain ranges but features gently elevated regions that give rise to small rivers and tributaries, which feed into larger water systems such as the Rio Cautário and the Rio Guaporé.

The region’s vegetation is lush and dominated by evergreen broadleaf forest, with a multi-layered canopy that includes giant trees such as Brazil nut, kapok, and rubber trees. Understory plants, lianas, and epiphytes thrive in the moist, shaded environment, adding to the park’s botanical diversity.

Wildlife is one of the park’s most compelling attributes, offering visitors the rare chance to witness a wide array of Amazonian fauna in a relatively untouched setting. Serra da Cutia is home to iconic mammal species including the jaguar, ocelot, tapir, giant anteater, and South American coati.

It also supports several primate species, such as howler monkeys and squirrel monkeys. Birdwatchers may be rewarded with sightings of vibrant toucans, harpy eagles, macaws, and hoatzins among the more than 300 bird species that inhabit the park. Reptiles and amphibians are abundant, though often hidden within the dense foliage, and the river systems harbor species such as caimans, anacondas, and freshwater turtles.

Despite its remote location, some features make the park especially valued by researchers and adventurous travelers. Its isolation helps maintain its pristine character, making it a key site for scientific studies on Amazonian ecology and climate resilience.

The park is part of a broader conservation mosaic in the region, contributing to large-scale connectivity for species migration and gene flow. Visitors, though few due to the park’s challenging accessibility, can engage with the park through guided ecotours, river excursions, birdwatching expeditions, and wilderness camping when permitted. These low-impact activities provide immersive ways to experience the rainforest without disrupting its delicate balance.

Conservation efforts in Serra da Cutia have faced challenges primarily from illegal logging, poaching, and potential encroachment from agricultural expansion. However, the park’s remoteness and legal protection status have so far helped shield it from the more aggressive forms of environmental degradation seen in other parts of the Amazon.

It is managed by ICMBio, Brazil’s conservation agency, which works to enforce regulations and foster collaborations with scientists and local communities. Recent successes include improved surveillance through satellite monitoring and increased awareness of the park’s ecological value.

Continued conservation funding and strict protective measures remain essential to preserve this ecological stronghold.

Park Map

Serra da Cutia National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Serra da Cutia National Park, located in the remote northwest of Rondônia, Brazil, protects a largely intact section of Amazon rainforest with an abundance of rivers, flooded forests, and terra firme terrain. Due to its isolation, the park harbors some of the Amazon’s most elusive and pristine wildlife populations.

Jaguar
This powerful predator is the top carnivore in Serra da Cutia’s forests. It hunts a variety of prey including deer, peccaries, and capybaras, and requires large, undisturbed territories to thrive.

Giant Otter
Endangered and highly social, giant otters live in the park’s clean river systems. They are excellent swimmers, hunting fish in coordinated family groups and communicating with a wide range of vocalizations.

South American Tapir
As one of the forest’s key seed dispersers, the tapir travels along riverbanks and forest trails, foraging for fruit and foliage. It is most active during twilight and night hours.

White-lipped Peccary
These pig-like mammals move in large, noisy herds, impacting the forest floor as they forage. Their presence helps shape plant regeneration and they serve as important prey for jaguars.

Red-handed Howler Monkey
Famous for their booming calls that echo through the forest at dawn, these monkeys live in the canopy in social groups and feed mainly on leaves and fruit.

Ocelot
This beautifully spotted feline is a stealthy nocturnal hunter, preying on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. It navigates both dense understory and the lower canopy with ease.

Paca
A nocturnal rodent with a brown, white-spotted coat, the paca is often found near streams and rivers. It plays a vital role in dispersing seeds of large tropical fruits.

Tayra
An agile and curious carnivore from the weasel family, the tayra is active during the day and forages for fruit, small animals, and eggs in both canopy and forest floor.

Nine-banded Armadillo
This solitary mammal uses its armored shell for defense and digs burrows in the forest soil to feed on ants, termites, and grubs, mostly at night.

Amazonian Brown Brocket Deer
This small, elusive deer browses in the dense undergrowth and along riverbanks. It is shy and well camouflaged, feeding on low vegetation and fruits.

Birds

Serra da Cutia’s vast Amazonian landscapes and undisturbed forests support an extraordinary range of bird species, from massive raptors to understory specialists and vibrant canopy dwellers.

Harpy Eagle
One of the world’s most powerful raptors, the harpy eagle nests in towering emergent trees and hunts large prey like monkeys and sloths. Its presence signals a healthy, old-growth forest.

Scarlet Macaw
This iconic parrot, with brilliant red, yellow, and blue feathers, travels in bonded pairs and is commonly seen flying over the canopy or feeding in fruiting trees.

White-throated Toucan
Easily identified by its massive yellow-and-black bill and loud croaking call, this canopy-dwelling bird feeds on a wide variety of fruits and disperses their seeds throughout the forest.

Hoatzin
A primitive-looking bird found near rivers and oxbow lakes, the hoatzin feeds on fermented leaves and uses its strong claws to climb as a juvenile. It is often seen in small groups along waterways.

Amazonian Motmot
This quietly perched, long-tailed bird hunts insects and small lizards from low forest branches. Its distinctive racket-shaped tail and calm demeanor make it a birdwatcher favorite.

Razor-billed Curassow
A large, black ground-dwelling bird with a red knob on its bill, it forages for fruit and seeds along forest trails and riverbanks. Its deep calls can be heard from a distance.

Spix’s Guan
This turkey-sized frugivore moves through the canopy feeding on a variety of fruits. It plays a critical role in seed dispersal and prefers undisturbed forest areas.

Cream-colored Woodpecker
With its pale yellow plumage and black crown, this woodpecker searches trunks and branches for insects. Its tapping and distinctive calls make it easy to locate.

Blue-and-yellow Macaw
A striking and sociable bird, this macaw nests in tree cavities and feeds on nuts and fruit. It is often seen in small flocks, especially near rivers and clearings.

Dusky Parrot
This medium-sized, dark green parrot with a dusty-gray head inhabits the rainforest canopy. It feeds on seeds, flowers, and fruit and is often heard calling before it is seen.