Where the Wildlife Are

At present the Ass Côte is only easily accessible by boat. The sailing is easy - not much surf on this part of the Where the Wild Things Are coastline. There are a handful of small palm-treed islands off the shore, home to colonies of scuttling blue crabs, and the seabirds that feed on them.

On the coast itself, there are long stretches of diamond sands, and some smaller coves too. The wild donkeys that run freely along the beaches give the region it's name.

At the edge of the sands, the jungle begins. Yellow-billed toucans are a common sight, clacking their beaks together in elaborate courtship ceremonies. Spider monkeys and macaques live in relative harmony, foraging a living from both jungle and beach. The macaques have developed a technique for catching blue crabs at low tide, and cracking their shells open with rocks. They're entertaining to watch, as they dislike getting their fur wet almost as much as they like eating crabs.

At some parts of the coast, the land rises steeply up to mountains whose peaks rise above the tree-line. A species of wild goat has been spotted up there. There is some evidence of big-cat predators feeding on the goats, but the cats themselves are elusive, and there are no confirmed sightings.

There are plans for the Ass Côte to be a national park. The expanded ranger service will monitor the park, preventing any wildlife poaching and illegal logging.

Having national park status keeps the area free from the threat of development. Already the government is being lobbied by those who would build golf courses all along the coast. The government's preferred strategy is to encourage eco-tourism along this pristine coast.