The Cockpit Country

The Cockpit Country

Less than an hour from the glistening blue water and sparkling white sand beaches of Jamaica's north coast lays an enticing nature lover's paradise and photographer's dream known as Cockpit Country. This place is Rich in history and cultural background as it goes back to the time of the maroons. This dense wet limestone forest, crisscrossed with hiking trails, is home to exotic plants, birds and reptiles, many of which are found no where else in the world. But despite the importance this place holds, this national treasure is constantly being threatened by mans unreasonable destructive practices.

The history of the Cockpit Country is decorated with the life and times of the Taino Indians and later the runaway slave “Maroons”. This area is well known for important part it played in the emancipation of Jamaica. The area has a rich historical background as human use of Cockpit Country resources dates back to the Maroons. The area is one of two in which the Maroons successfully fought the British . The Maroons were able to use the caves and rugged terrain to their advantage as they fought the British tyrants in the 18th century. They used secret trails and caves to appear and disappear at will. The south-east corridor of the Cockpit Country is often called “Look Behind”, this we are told is where the British “red coat” soldiers would ride their horses in pairs combing the vines and shrubs in pursuit of Maroons. The Maroons would continue to live and traverse this area for much of the British rule. Later liberated slaves settled in the area, establishing some of Jamaica’s first free villages. Not only is this place known for its rich Historical background and culture, it is also well known for its diversification in flora and fauna.

Due to the region’s isolation during most of its geologic history, it harbors a highly diverse array of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. The cockpit area is of great importance to our country’s flora and fauna. It highlights Jamaica’s spectacular endemism, particularly the island’s unique flora. Of the 152 vascular plant species found in Cockpit Country, over 100 are found nowhere else in the world, with many individual hilltops claiming their own unique species. Most of Jamaica’s 550 native fern species are found in Cockpit Country and relative to its area, more species of ferns are found here than in any other tropical forest in the world.

Bats dominate the mammalian biomass in Cockpit Country, with some caves sheltering over 50,000 individuals. The diverse vegetation and topography create ideal habitat for all 28 of