An expedition led by local and foreign scientists
has led to the discovery of a series of animal species previously
unknown to science, as well as a group of “non-registered”
Pre-Columbian human settlements, at Montaña de Botaderos
in the department of Olancho.
The “Honduras Indómita” expedition was
sponsored by the Tourism Ministry and other institutions.
Over a period of 10 days scientists canvassed the areas surrounding
the municipalities of Gualaco in Olancho department and Tocoa
and Sabá in Colon department in search of information
on new animal species and unregistered archeological sites.
Expedition coordinator Arturo Sosa explained that Montaña
de Botaderos was rediscovered several years ago by Dr. Mark
Bonta, who saw that there was much to be studied in the 65,000
hectare zone filled with a wealth of natural and cultural
enigmas - including 8 mounds left behind by an unknown
Pre-Columbian culture.
The expedition sought not only to uncover information about
the area’s archeological and biological heritage, but
also to obtain Protected Area status. This required the support
of a long list of participants, including the Ministry of
Tourism, the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History
(IHAH), AFE-COHDEFOR, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the
University of Texas at Arlington in the United States, and
the Honduran fire department.
Sosa says the IHAH has already begun going over the expedition’s
discoveries and will soon be holding a public conference to
announce its preliminary findings. Efforts will also be made
to encourage other scientific groups and universities to return
to the zone and tell the world not only about what they find
there, but also about the cultural and natural beauty of Honduras.
Expedition reports will also be published in professional
and scientific journals.
Honduras is promoting numerous studies of this kind under
its “academic tourism” project, offering its national
parks and protected areas to groups interested in traveling
to Honduras and discovering the country’s wealth of
natural and cultural heritage.
