The Zapata Swamp is located on the Zapata Peninsula in the southern Matanzas Province of Cuba, in the municipality of Ciénaga de Zapata. It is located less than 150 kilometres (93 mi) southeast of Havana.
Zapata Swamp as seen from space.
The swamp has a dense habitat
American flamingos in Zapata
Crocodile farm in Zapata
The Zapata rail is a medium-sized, dark-coloured rail. It has brown upperparts, greyish-blue underparts, a red-based yellow bill, white undertail coverts, and red eyes and legs. Its short wings render it almost flightless. It is endemic to the wetlands of the Zapata Peninsula in southern Cuba, where its only known nest was found in sawgrass tussocks. Little is known of its diet or reproductive behaviour, and its described calls may belong to a different species.
Zapata rail
Aerial view of the Zapata Swamp
James Bond found the only known nest and eggs.
The African sharptooth catfish is a major predator of rail chicks.