About Ilha de Comandatuba
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Description
Second attraction is Comandatuba Island, a half hour drive from the airport. This is the site of the remarkable Transamerica Comandatuba Resort Hotel, certainly one of the moist deluxe, most complete resorts in Brazil today. Miles of private, pristine beaches, a languidly-sculpted pool, lush landscaping, marine sports center, numerous restaurants, many day excursions and elegant airy rooms combine to make this spot a true tropical paradise.
	THE UNA BIOLOGICAL RESERVE A third reason for visiting Ilheus is ecological. The Una Biological Reserve is one of the most important environmental reserves in South America, as it is dedicated to the preservation and cataloguing of the life forms in the once-vast Coastal Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil, now considered – after the forests of Madagascar – as the most threatened eco-system on the planet.
Because of its geographic isolation from other forest types, this rain forest has one of the highest percentages of endemism in the world: over fifty percent of the tree species are found nowhere else. Intensive inventory of the plant species of the Una Biological Reserve in southern Bahia, Brazil, shows that almost 30% of the species occurring in the Reserve are found only in southern Bahia and northern Espνrito Santo.
	Research has shown that these forests have a diversity of tree species among the highest in the world. Thus, the assemblage of plant and animal species found here constitute a biota recognized as one of the most unique and endangered on earth. Studies of this area will produce scientific information critical to making informed decisions about conservation priorities. Just 30 miles south of Ilhιus , endangered golden-haired lion tamarins and pumas live in safety under a dense canopy of trees. Toucans and parrots call out as they fly overhead. Countless species of animals, and over 400 varieties of trees live in the 7,022 hectares of Atlantic rain forest.
Shielded almost completely from humans, these animals and plants thrive in the Una Biological Reserve. In 1980, the Brazilian government purchased this land and established the reserve. Now managed by IBAMA, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Resource Renewal, the reserve is only open to a few scientists, who study the plants and animals, and to six park rangers, who guard the park's perimeter.
	This research is vital for preserving life in the forest. "Here we are in 1997, discovering plants and animals that have never been seen before," said Gabriel Rodrigues, who coordinates the research work at Una. "Not too long ago, for example, a new kind of tree was discovered, and it was named for a monkey, the Golden-haired Lion Tamarin." Golden-haired Lion Tamarins are endemic only to this part of Brazil, but their natural habitat had been shrinking. The Una Reserve is an effort to reverse this trend.
These small primates have been the subject of recent studies here at the reserve. Someone will come soon to Una to study the Sussauranas, or pumas, which also make the reserve their home. Currently, no one knows how many pumas live here, but Gabriel said that the specialist will determine this by conducting a calculation based upon the number of footprints in a given area.
	Other animals that live in the Una Reserve are not endangered, but they are all protected by the park rangers. Ivan dos Santos Leao is a ranger who guards the reserve and its animal inhabitants. He said, "It is my job to be sure all the animals are safe, including armadillos, collared peccaries (wild pigs), pacas (large rodents), and green Brazilian porcupines.
" He added, "My favorites are the pigs and the monkeys." With all of its varied plant and animal life, the Una Biological Reserve is an effort to keep natural habitats intact and animals safe. The trees thrive and the animal population continues to grow. Under the watchful eye of IBAMA and men like Ivan, they can do so in safety.