Yumbalam Reserve

This is a protected area of flora and fauna established in 1994 by request of the local communities.

Yum Balam, Maya for "Lord Jaguar", extends over 154,000 hectares that include the Lagoon Conil, its mangroves, and the island of Holbox.

 In Yum Balams beautiful waters abound dolphins, whale sharks, sea turtles, manta ray and all types of marine life while in its large tratcts of wetlands and tropical forests thrive exotic flora and fauna.
In the 60,000 hectares of jungle live five species of wild felines: the jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay (small ocelot) and yaguarundi or jungle cat, all endangered.
Yum Balam began a project inviting residents of Holbox  to alert reserve technicians of the presence of a cat, so that it may be transferred  to a less- populated area, thus contributing to the conservation of the species and sustaining development of local communities.