Coral colonies grow very slowly, sometimes only a few millimeters every year. They require specific conditions to remain healthy. Water that is too warm can cause a phenomenon known as coral bleaching; this is when corals expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae and turn white. Corals cannot survive long without their partners, and in their weakened condition, become more susceptible to disease. A growing percentage of the worlds corals are dying from coral bleaching and disease.
Corals also suffer from more direct human impacts. Stepping on or even touching corals can kill them. Some of the corals in the Virgin Islands have lived for hundreds of years. They have survived hurricanes, anchor damage, coral bleaching, smothering sediment, pollution and disease. Please remember to stand only on sand; give the corals a chance to survive.
Virgin Islands National Park, renowned throughout the world for its breathtaking beauty, covers approximately half of St. John, as well as nearly all of Hassel Island in the Charlotte Amalie harbor on St. Thomas. All the visitor facilities are on St. John. There are none on Hassel Island.
Within this protected paradise are sub-tropical forests, semi-arid scrublands, and swamps along the coastal areas. Some 800 species of plants inhabit these varied climates, including one native palm tree – the Teyer palm, along with bay rum trees and tropical orchids. More than 50 species of tropical birds breed on St. John, including the Bananaquit and three species of Caribbean hummingbirds. Other migrant species spend the winter in the park’s dense forests.
Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.
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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
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