Muizenberg (Curaçao)

About

Muizenberg is a wetland and protected area on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao. Located within the northern suburbs of the capital, Willemstad, the wetland is surrounded by well-developed suburbs that are among the most densely populated in Curaçao. The majority of the wetland consists of a shallow, artificial lake formed by the Muizenberg dam, built by Shell Curaçao in 1915. Despite being the largest freshwater body on the island with a capacity of 650,000 cubic metres, the lake is seasonal and usually only lasts for around six months annually, although it is permanent in years with sufficient rainfall. As the lake's waters recede every year, it is replaced by grassland and scrub vegetation.

The wetland is protected as a Natural Park area by the Curaçaoan government and is a designated Important Bird Area and Ramsar site. It supports a breeding population of around 800 Caribbean coots, alongside several other waterbirds, and acts as a stopover site for American flamingos. It also harbours populations of Van de Poll's molly, a rare fish endemic to the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.