Crique et Pripri Yiyi is a protected area in French Guiana, France. The protected area is a wetland, and as of 2008, also a Ramsar site under the name of Estuaire du fleuve Sinnamary. It consists of mudflats, mangroves, freshwater swamps and seasonally flooded savannahs.[3] Crique et Pripri Yiyi is located on the Atlantic Ocean coast[4] in the communes of Iracoubo and Sinnamary. The protected area is delimited by the Iracoubo [fr] and Sinnamary Rivers.[5]

Crique et Pripri Yiyi
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Crique et Pripri Yiyi
Map showing the location of Crique et Pripri Yiyi
LocationFrench Guiana, France
Nearest citySinnamary
Coordinates5°30′28″N 53°13′10″W / 5.5077°N 53.2194°W / 5.5077; -53.2194
Area284.44 km2 (109.82 sq mi)[1]
Established6 November 1995[2]
Governing bodyConservatoire du littoral
Official nameEstuaire du fleuve Sinnamary
Designated15 September 2008
Reference no.1828[3]

Name

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The word Pripri means marsh in French Guianese Creole,[6] and Yiyi was the nickname of Sylvain Sophie who lived in the village of Trou Poisson during the 19th century.[5]

Flora and fauna

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Crique et Pripri Yiyi is home to West Indian manatees,[3] bush dogs, Capybaras and common squirrel monkeys.[5] The wetlands attract many migratory birds. The population of semipalmated sandpipers can reach up to one million birds.[3] Other birds include masked ducks, Muscovy ducks, snail kites and scarlet ibises.[5] The beach is a nesting and foraging area of the green sea turtle.[3]

The area is home to several rare orchids: Habenaria pratensis, Habenaria trifida and Habenaria longicauda.[5]

Access

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The site can be accessed from RN1 near the town of Sinnamary,[6] and is called Maison de la Nature (House of Nature).[5] A 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) footpath has been constructed through the marshes. There are two observatories within the protected area and an observation tower near the entrance.[6] There is an ecological museum on the site which can be visited free of charge.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Crique Et Pripri Yiyi". Protected Planet. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  2. ^ "FR1100390 - Crique Et Pripri Yiyi". Inventaire National du Patrimoine Naturel (in French). Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Estuaire du fleuve Sinnamary". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Marais et Pripris de Yiyi". Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels de Guyane (in French). Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Pripris de Yiyi". Pole Tropical (in French). Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Les pripris de Yiyi". France TV Info (in French). Retrieved 15 April 2021.